“What?” almost shrieked Stick. “You mean we’re going to pay him money?”
Russell nodded, enjoying Stick’s consternation.
“I won’t do it!” cried the other. “No, sir! Why, hang it, Rus, we can’t afford it!”
“Oh, yes, we can,” answered Russell soothingly. “It’s only ten cents a week!”
“Ten cents! Ten cents a—” Stick stared blankly. “Is he crazy? What’s he want ten cents for? Why doesn’t he do it for nothing?”
“Well, he told me that he wanted to be a wage-earner,” explained Russell gravely.
Stick viewed him suspiciously. “It’s mighty funny,” he grunted. “The whole business is mighty funny. You and Austen are up to something, I’ll bet. All right, but just let me tell you that I’m not paying out my money to him!”
“You don’t mind five cents a week, do you?” asked Russell, grinning.
“No, I’ll pay five cents, all right, but I won’t pay a penny more. I’ve lost enough already in the fool business!” And Stick pulled a book to him savagely and intimated that he was through with the subject.