190 WHEAT AND WOMAN 



I had served dinner, and returned somewhat late in 

 the evening. 



My brother, who had come down for a day or 

 so, met me at the gate. " I can't stand talking 

 about another chap's work," he said, " but that new 

 man is no good, and you ought to get rid of him. 

 He grumbles about everything, and the moment 

 you had driven off to-day he turned into his room 

 and said he had finished work for the day, and he 

 advised Roddy and me to do the same." 



" I am sorry you won't work," I said to him the 

 next morning. " You know I have tried everything 

 that could possibly make things easier for you ; but 

 I can't have anyone round who refuses to work 

 except through illness. It isn't fair to the others." 



" Pay me my month's wages and I will go at once," 

 was the answer. 



" Your month's wages f " I inquired. 



" Certainly. You engaged me for a month, and 

 you will pay me for a month, or the law shall make 

 you." 



" When the law makes me, most certainly I will 

 pay," I answered. " Until then you have worked 

 so many days and so many half-days. A month's 

 pay in Canada is due to twenty-six working days. 

 My brother will give you a lift to the Fort, and here 

 is your cheque." 



" How am I to know that it is any good f " 



" By inquiring at the bank. I never keep dollar 

 bills in the house.'* 



Other insults, led by the well-worn invitation to 

 search his boxes, followed. This particular man had 

 received nothing but consideration from me. I was 

 unutterably sorry for him and honestly tried to do 



