"May I have sixty seconds off to speak with that man yonder?" Farr asked
the contractor. "It partly concerns your business."

The big man nodded surly assent.

"Thee sees I have taken off the armor for a time. I will wear it in the
city where horses and people are not so silly. What is thee doing here?"

"I have no time to talk about myself, Friend Chick. I want to ask you if
you are still of the same mind about your mission?"

"I am."

"Then throw down that hardware and come to work on this job. A man has
been hurt here--his wife is in need. Earn some money and give it to
them."

"But my mission concerns the world--the wide world."

"Real selfishness's chief excuse! Here's something ready to your hand.
Will you do it?"

"But thee told me thee would not go forth and do good!"

"No matter about me. I am not a professional knight-errant! Will you do
this?"

"Ten seconds more!" warned the boss.

"I cannot change my plans so suddenly," protested Chick.