Judd gave his partner a significant look.
Supper was soon ready, and they sat down at the table. Mr. Benton showed that whatever his business with them was he had not lost his appetite, and a half-hour elapsed before the meal was finished. Then Budd led the way into the sitting-room, and showing Mr. Benton to a chair, ventured to hasten matters by asking:
"What is your business, Mr. Benton?"
"Ahem! ahem!" said he, as though clearing his throat from some impediment. "I signed yer bond fer ye to-day, Budd, or else ye'd now be on yer way to Kingston jail. Hev ye thought o' that?"
"Do you really think so?" responded Budd, and waiting for Mr. Benton to go on.
"Yes, ye would," said the man, shortly; "an' ye know it, well as I do."
"It was very good of you," said the boy, meaningly.
"An' I thought, as I'd done ye the favor, ye might pay me back that thirty dollers that don't belong to ye," said the miser, coming to the point of his business with Budd.
"Why should I? It belonged to me, not to you," Budd retorted.
"No it don't, either. Ye have quit work, an' 'cordin' to the barg'in it never did belong to ye."