“Ned Nevins, sir.”
“Live here?”
“I do just now, but I come from Millville, N. Y.”
The big man looked surprised.
“Are you any relation to Jeptha Nevins?”
“His nephew, sir. Did you know him?”
“Very well. I am Vaughn Kessler, the owner of the Kessler Mill. Your uncle was my foreman for many years. He was one of the best men we ever had; I was very sorry to hear of his death. Is there anything I can do for you?”
“No, thank you, sir, except——”
“Except what? Come, you’ll pardon my saying so, but you don’t look—well, very prosperous.”