"Ho, ho! that's a good joke! Money's scarce, and I'd rather pay in
victuals, if it's all the same to you."

"Do you generally find people willing to work for their board?" asked
Carl, who knew that he was being imposed upon.

"Well, I might pay a leetle more. You work for me till sundown, and I'll
give you dinner and supper, and--fifteen cents."

Carl wanted to laugh. At this rate of compensation he felt that it would
take a long time to make a fortune, but he was so hungry that he would
have accepted board alone if it had been necessary.

"I agree," he said. "Shall I leave my rake here?"

"Yes; it'll be all right."

"I'll take along my valise, for I can't afford to run any risk of losing
it."

"Jest as you say."

Five minutes brought them to the farmhouse.

"Can I wash my hands?" asked Carl.

"Yes, you can go right to the sink and wash in the tin basin. There's a
roll towel behind the door. Mis' Perkins"--that was the way he addressed
his wife--"this is a young chap that I've hired to help me hayin'. You
can set a chair for him at the table."