“No, Plum.”
“Something gone wrong, Jack, again?”
“About my usual luck, Plum. I am where I began--without a cent in my pocket,” and he quickly told the other what had befallen him since they had parted.
“It’s too bad, Jack, but I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I have what amounts to three hundred dollars that I’ve saved and every dollar of it is yours till you can pay it back.”
“I could not think of taking your hard earnings, Plum, for it is uncertain if I should ever be able to pay it back.
“I thank you from the bottom of my heart, but must look for work again.”
“Then you shall have my job, Jack. I had rather fire anyway; honest, Jack.”
“Thank you again, Plum, and it’s just like your generosity, but I cannot rob you of your situation. How does your fireman do?”
“Tip-top, I am sorry to say. To tell the truth, Jack, he does so well I am afraid he will get my job away from me. I wish you would take the lever again, Jack, and let me fire. I never had so good a time in my life as I did then.”
This was a little past noon, and a few minutes later Jack would be obliged to part with Plum, who must start on his return to St. Resa.