Billy looked at him in a quizzical manner.
"Say, you haven’t earned the money I gave you some time ago," he reminded.
"Don’t ye remember? The ten-spot to put me next to the old man."
"Oh yes, I do recollect that ye shoved somethin’ into me hand. Well, that money’s gone to feed the hungry, an’ clothe the naked. It’s been put to good use."
"But it hasn’t done what it was intended to do though. It was to put me next to your boss, so’s I could sell him a car."
"There’s lots of time yit to git next to the old feller, so don’t worry."
"But he’s in jail and likely to be sent further, from all accounts."
"Yes, he’s in a pretty bad mess," Abner agreed. "But, there, I must git this hay in. Gid-dap, Jerry."
"Hold on a minute," Billy ordered. "And you won’t take me to the island?"
"No, but you wanted ten dollars, though."
"Oh, well, I’ll cut it out if you can’t afford to pay that much. I’m goin’ over, anyway, when I git through with this hay, an’ if ye’ll give us a hand I’ll take ye along."
"Sure, I’ll help you," was the ready response.
"Never did. But there’s nothing to learn about it, is there? Just tell me what to do."
"Ye kin mow away. Scoot along an’ climb up that ladder, an’ stow away fer all ye’r worth."
Abner chuckled to himself as he headed Jerry for the barn. "I was goin’ to put this in the empty bay," he mused, "but since I’ve these two love-sick fellers here I might as well finish that other mow. It ought to hold another load or two with close packin’. Guess Billy’ll find it’s the hottest place he was ever in. Stiddy, there, Jerry."
With a rush the horse surged the load into the barn, and at once Abner picked up his fork and started to work. Royden was in his place to receive the hay as it was handed up. He understood the work, and found it easy to toss it back to Billy. To the latter, however, it was something new, and the heat of the loft was oppressive. The perspiration poured down his face, and at times he felt that he would smother, as he struggled with the hay, stowing it into every corner, and tramping it down. When at length the hay was unloaded and he climbed down the ladder he was a pitiable sight to behold. His eyes were wild and bloodshot, his face a fiery hue, and steaming wet, while his immaculate clothes were clinging to his body as if he had been plunged into the river.