“Perhaps not. But you're worse. You have just said it. You're a selfish renegade!”
“Peculiarly selfish, hard, and unfeeling.”
“And wouldn't turn your hand over to do a good turn for anybody?”
“I'll tell you what I think _I'll_ do--I'll detail four of my men to ride you out of this town on a rail.”
“I wouldn't call them off their jobs if I were you! I overheard you say that you are short of time and men. By the way, you offered me a job. I'll take it.”
“If after a half-day you find I'm not worth the money I'll pass on and you'll have a half-day's work free.”
Through the open door Farr could see the woman of the house wringing cloths at the sink.
He stepped to the door and addressed her. “Madame, will you take a boarder? I'm going to do your husband's work on the job yonder. I will pay liberally. In your present difficulties the money may help. I'll be small trouble.”
“We need the money terribly,” she said, after pondering. “Yes, I will take you. In the face you do not look like a tramp!”
“I thank you,” said Farr. “If you will give me some food in my hands I'll take myself out of your way.”
That afternoon Jared Chick came over the hill where the trowels clinked and the great derrick complained with its pulleys. He carried his armor on his back.
He stopped and watched for some time his former companion of the road, who was sweating over his man's toil.
“May I have sixty seconds off to speak with that man yonder?” Farr asked the contractor. “It partly concerns your business.”
“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?”
“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?”
“I cannot change my plans so suddenly,” protested Chick.