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"Well," he said, "what is it? Want to speak to me?"

"Yes, sir," I burst out; "I want to tell you that I--that I broke--"

"The ladder, eh?" he said sht, Grant; always speak

out when you have had an accident of any kind Nothing like being

frank It's honest and gives people confidence in you Yes, I know all

about the ladder I was co to see if you wanted it moved when I saw

you overcome by it Did Ike trim off that branch?"

"Yes, sir," I cried hastily "I'm very sorry, sir I did not know

that--"

"It was so heavy, Grant Leverage, ets it off the balance"

"Will it cost much to--"

"It was an old ladder, Grant, and I'm not sorry it is broken; for there

was a bad crack there, I see, covered over by the paint We ht have

had a nasty accident It will do now for the low trees Look here"

He led , and showed me the broken

ladder, neatly sawn off at the top, and thinned down a little, and

trimmed off with a spokeshave, while a pot of lead-coloured paint and a

brush stood by hich the old gentle over the

freshly-cut wood

"My job," he said quietly "Dry by to-ht to