After surveying him from head to foot a few moments, he turned back to his work again, without another word. The act pierced Benjamin's heart, it was so unkind and cruel. But soon he rose above the situation, and seemed to say, by actions, "I can stand it if you can."
The journeymen were delighted to see him. Leaving their work, they pressed around him with a whole catechism of questions.
"Where have you been, Ben?"
"In Philadelphia."
"What kind of a place is it?"
"It is a fine place; I like it better than Boston."
"Going back?"
"Yes; very soon, too. No place like that for the printing business."
"Good pay?"
"Yes, better pay than in Boston."