'And good. You and I know that there are few like him,' was her immediate reply.
'And you like him?'
'Of course I do; it would be very strange if I did not,' she replied, without embarrassment.
'Do you think he would be capable of filling a much higher post than he has at present?'
'Of course I do; and if you will not be angry, I will say that I have often thought that you do not pay him enough of money.'
'There's nothing like going through the hards in youth. It won't do him any harm,' said the old man. 'He won't suffer by it, I promise you that.'
'Perhaps not; but when he has educated himself,—which won't be long now, Uncle Abel, he is getting on so fast,—he will not stay here. We could not expect it.'
'Why not, if there's money in it?'
'Is there money in it?'
A shrewd little smile wreathed her lips, and her whole manner indicated that her sense of humour was touched.