Frank Merriwell's First Job; Or, At the Foot of the Ladder

by Burt L. Standish

“That is true. This is my first attempt.”

“You’re pretty young. Ain’t twenty-one yet?”

“No, sir.”

“How long have you worked wiping?”

“Almost four weeks.”

“No longer than that?”

“No, sir.”

“Humph!” grunted Hobson again, pulling away at the black pipe with an expression of deep satisfaction.

It seemed that the engineer doubted Merry’s statements, which made Frank feel rather resentful.

After a brief silence, Hobson spoke again.