"He's offered me a job," said Fred.
"He's what?"
"Offered me a job."
"What's the joke? You don't mean that with all this fuss over his sister's coming back he's picked out a Holton to offer a job to!"
"That's what's happened. They want Perry—his farmer—to take a teaching place at the agricultural school. It's a fine chance for him, and Mr. Montgomery has released him from his contract. Perry recommended me, and Mr. Montgomery asked me to the house a few evenings ago to talk it over. The arrangement includes my own farm, too, which Kirkwood holds as trustee until the Sycamore business is straightened out."
Charles backed away and stared at his brother scornfully.
"You idiot! don't you see what they're doing? They're buying you body and soul. They want to get you on their side—don't you see it?—to use against Uncle Will and me. Well! of all the smooth, cold-blooded, calculating scoundrels I ever heard of, they are the beatingest. Of course you saw it; you haven't walked into the trap!"
"I've accepted the position."
"You blundering fool, you can't accept it! I won't let you accept it!"
"I'm moving my traps to the Montgomery farmhouse to-morrow, so you'll have to call out the troops if you stop me."