“Just as you like,” answered Phin, packing up his few tools.

“How much did you say it would be?” asked Hansel.

“I said about a dollar, but it will be seventy-eight cents.”

“That seems awfully little,” said Hansel.

“It’s just right. The board was thirty cents, the three brackets and screws thirty-eight, and the enamel ten; seventy-eight in all.”

“But you’re not making anything!”

“No,” answered Phin with a peculiar smile, “not on this job, Dana.”

“But—but I wouldn’t have asked you if—if——”

“That’s just it, Dana,” Phin replied quietly. “I guessed as much, and I don’t like charity.” Hansel colored up.

“I beg your pardon,” he muttered.