"Perhaps it isn't genteel enough for you, Ben," said his uncle.

"I don't care for that, Uncle Job, but I don't like being shut up in
a shop. Besides, it doesn't give steady work. Last year you were
without work at least a third of the time."

"So I was, Ben," said Job. "I'm willin' to own that's a great
drawback."

"And it isn't likely to be any better hereafter. Last year was as
good as the average."

"It was better," Job admitted. "The year before I was out of work
five months."

"Well, Uncle Job, I want to work at something that'll give me
employment all the year round."

"So do I, Ben, but I don't see what you can find, unless you go to
work on a farm. You're used to that, and I guess you could find a
chance before long. There's Deacon Pitkin wants a boy, and would be
glad of the chance of gettin' you."

"I suppose he would," said Ben, laughing. "Would you advise me to go
there?"

"Well, there might be some objections, but-"

"You know I wouldn't get enough to eat, Uncle Job," interrupted
Ben. "Why, Deacon Pitkin's the meanest man in the village."