"Well, how much did you intend to charge for her by the day, or the hour?"
"We thought about three dollars an hour," replied Lawry, with much diffidence.
"Three dollars an hour! You are too modest by half," laughed Mr. Sherwood. "Make it five, at least. I told the parties I engaged for you that the price would not be less than fifty dollars a day."
"I'm afraid I shall make money too fast at that rate," added Lawry.
"No, you won't. It will cost a great deal of money to run the boat.
What do you pay your engineer?"
"I don't know, sir; we have made no bargain yet."
"If Ethan does a man's work, you must pay him a man's wages. I suppose he wants to make his fortune."
"What do you think he ought to have?" asked Lawry.
"Three dollars a day," replied Mr. Sherwood promptly. "I dare say Ethan would not charge you half so much; but that is about the wages of a man for running an engine in these times."
"I am satisfied, if that is fair wages; though it is a great deal more than I ever made."