“I told yeh so,” said Ben regretfully.
“Why, don't you know it was for you I took the bet?” said Alec, angry that he should be balked in his good intention to help the boys.
“We'll take our wages,” repeated Barney in a tone that settled the controversy. “The wheat is not ours.”
“Then it ain't mine,” said Alec, disgusted, remembering in how great peril his $50 had been.
“Well, boys,” said the “Old King,” “it ain't mine. We'll divide it in three.”
“We'll take our wages,” said Barney again, in sullen determination.
“Confound the boy!” cried the “Old King.” “What'll we do with the wheat? I say, we'll give it to Ben; he's had hard luck this year.”
“No, by the jumpin' Jemima Jebbs!” said Ben, stumping over to Barney's side. “I stand with the boss. I take my wages.”
“Well, dog-gone you all! Will you take double pay, then? There's two days' good work there. And the rest we'll give to the church. Good thing the minister ain't here or he'd kick, too!”
“But,” added the “Old King,” turning to his son Sam, “after this you crawl into your shell when there's any blowin' bein' done about Ben's gang.”