Hireling questions

[Jredmiston]

Second, Hireling is not an Item, so it can not be turned sideways. Once you play it, it is always considered in play and is vulnerable to Kill the Hireling.

Though, Munchkin 4 states: A Hireling is not an Item unless it has a price on it. You may only trade Hirelings that have a Gold Piece value.

I'm pretty new to the game so I've been scouring the forums for rules clarifications and the quote above caused some confusion. Couldn't I carry, but not have in use (sideways), a hireling of this type?