“Ah! I am all right,” said gruff Old Orlick.

“Then, as in general you stick to your work as well as most men,” said Joe, “let it be a half-holiday for all.”

My sister had been standing silent in the yard, within hearing, — she was a most unscrupulous spy and listener, — and she instantly looked in at one of the windows.

“Like you, you fool!” said she to Joe, “giving holidays to great idle hulkers like that.

You are a rich man, upon my life, to waste wages in that way. I wish I was his master!”

“You'd be everybody's master, if you durst,” retorted Orlick, with an ill-favored grin.