Money's very skeerce with me,
and will be till I've sold off some of the crops."
"I shall be glad to make that arrangement,"
said Carl, who had been considering how much
the farmer would ask for lodging, for there
seemed small chance of continuing his journey.
Fifteen cents was a lower price than he had
calculated on.
"That's a sensible idea!" said the farmer,
rubbing his hands with satisfaction at the
thought that he had secured valuable help at
no money outlay whatever.
The next morning Carl continued his tramp,
refusing the offer of continued employment on
the same terms. He was bent on pursuing
his journey, though he did not know exactly
where he would fetch up in the end.
At twelve o'clock that day he found himself
in the outskirts of a town, with the same
uncomfortable appetite that he had felt the
day before, but with no hotel or restaurant
anywhere near. There was, however, a small
house, the outer door of which stood conveniently
open. Through the open window, Carl saw a table
spread as if for dinner, and he thought it probable
that he could arrange to become a boarder for
a single meal. He knocked at the door, but no one came.
He shouted out: "Is anybody at home?" and received
no answer. He went to a small barn just outside
and peered in, but no one was to be seen.
What should he do? He was terribly hungry,
and the sight of the food on the table was
tantalizing.
"I'll go in, as the door is open," he decided,
"and sit down to the table and eat.
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