The boys nodded when Quentin told them the alternative story they should tell their parent, though James still seemed confused. When then man told them the patronage would stop if they would ask for more, Noah pushed his little brother. "Listen carefully," he said. James glared at him.

Noah took the money and quickly put it in his pocket. The first thing he would do was to go to the post office and open an account so no one could get to it. He nodded. "I will not disappoint ye, ser," he said.

He probably would.

James had a question: "Why did you knock Noah in the mud?"