comic air of resignation.

"Well, what's the matter with that?" inquired Jerry sharply. "You'll
be getting paid for it, won't you--well paid? And you'll have cozy
quarters all to yourself, and three good meals a day. Land alive! Some
folks want the earth! Why, when I was your age, I was swung up in a
hammock between decks with not an inch of space that I could call my
own. If I wanted to stow away anything I hadn't a place to put it
where it wasn't common property. As for meals I took what I could get
and was thankful that I didn't starve. And here you come along and
tilt up your freckled pug nose at a room and board and ten a week.
Bah! What's come over this generation anyway?"

"I wasn't turning up my nose," Walter ventured to protest. "It turns
up anyhow."

"Then you need to be careful how you make it go higher," grinned
Jerry.

"And--and--I had no idea you meant to pay me that much."

"What do you think we are up here?" bristled Jerry. "A sweatshop? No
siree! We stand for the square deal every time, we do. Only you've got
to understand, young one, that it's to be square on both sides. You're
to do no shirking; if you do you'll get fired so quick you'll wonder
what hit you. But if you do your part you need have no worries. Now
think good and plenty before you embark on the cruise."

"I have thought."

"All right then. We'll haul up anchor and be off the latter part of
June."

"You'll have to tell me exactly what you want me to do."

"Oh, I'll tell you right 'nough," drawled Jerry, with a humorous twist
of his lips. "You'll get a chart to sail by. Still, it won't wholly
cover your duties. The thing for you to do is to keep your eyes peeled
and look alive. Watch out and see where there's a hole an' be in that
hole so it won't be empty. That's the best recipe I know for being
useful."

"I'll try."

"If you honestly do that I reckon there'll be no cause for you to
worry," observed the caretaker kindly. "Towards the end of June, then,
I'll be on the lookout for you. Your quarters will be all ready,
shipshape and trim as a liner's cabin."

"Where will they be?" inquired Walter.

"Want to see 'em?"

"I'd like to, yes."

"I s'pose you would," nodded Jerry. "You can as well as not; only they
ain't fixed up as they'll be later. Look kinder dismal."

"Oh, I shan't mind."

The big man smiled at the eagerness of the boy's tone.

"Likely you ain't never been away from home before, son," said he, as
he to