"Have you got anything ahead?"
"Nothing sure. I was working for a firm of contractors up on the North
Side, and I've been thinking maybe they'd take me back."
"You've had some experience in building before now, haven't you?" Bannon was speaking deliberately, as if he were saying what he had thought out before.
"Yes, a good deal. It's what I've mostly done since I quit the lumber business."
"When Mr. MacBride was here," said Bannon, "he told me that we've got a contract for a new house at Indianapolis. It's going to be concrete, from the spiles up—there ain't anything like it in the country. I'm going down next week to take charge of the job, and if you'd like to go along as my assistant, I'll take you."
Max did not know what to say. At first he grinned and blushed, thinking only that Bannon had been pleased with his work; then he grew serious.
"Well," said Bannon, "what do you say?"
Max still hesitated. At last he replied:—
"Can I have till tomorrow to think about it? I—you see, Hilda and I, we most always talk things over, and I don't exactly like to do anything without—"
"Sure," said Bannon; "think it over if you like. There's no hurry up to the end of the week." He paused as if he meant to go on, but changed his mind and stood up. Max, too, was waiting, as if there were more to be said.