“That might not be such a bad thing, Jim.” Darcy only glanced at Wally’s boots, then smiled some more. “Bad habits are hard to break. What work have you done?”

“Well, I worked in a movie theater last summer.”

At this, Jim laughed with a hand set on each hip.

Darcy glanced back at his help with his own hands on his hips, as well as a sigh and a scowl. “Why don’t you get that milk ready for the truck? We’re running late today.”

“Will do, Mister Darcy.” Jim walked away, his boots making small sucking sounds in the mud.

Darcy smiled again as soon as Jim had departed. “Apologies for him. We don’t get visitors here too often.”

Wally managed a smile. “Perfectly okay.”

“Where you from?”

“Outside of Chicago.”

Darcy nodded. “Well, this ain’t Chicago, and this ain’t a movie house, but I’ll thank Evans when I’m in town tomorrow. My boy was drafted last spring and it’s been hard goin’ since.”

“I’ll help however I can.”

“Good. Pay’s fifteen dollars a week, plus room and board.” Darcy pulled a hand from his right hip and pointed at the second story of his house. “Church on Sundays required.”

Wally had furrowed his brow at the rate of pay, but he only replied, “When can I start?”