"How are you, Sam?" was Ben's familiar greeting. "Want to go fishing
with me?"

"He's entirely too familiar," thought Sam. "I'll cure him of that
when he is under my orders."

At present Sam did not think it politic to express his feelings on
the subject. Ben was so independent that it might frustrate his
plan.

"I will walk along with you, Ben," said Sam condescendingly.

"All right. Haven't you got a fishing-pole at home?"

"Yes, I have a very handsome one; it cost five dollars."

"Then it's rather ahead of mine," said Ben.

"I should say so," remarked Sam, surveying Ben's pole with contempt.

"But I'll bet you can't catch as many fish with it," said Ben
promptly. "I don't think it makes much difference to the fish," he
added, with a laugh, "whther they are caught with a five-dollar pole
or a five-cent one."

"Very likely," said Sam briefly, "but I prefer to use a nice pole."

"Oh, there's no objection," said Ben, "if you fancy it. It doesn't
make any difference to me."