"You can—can you?" said Baxter. His pipe, which was never out of his hand except when it was in his mouth, began to turn gray, and putting it between his teeth, he sucked hard at the stem for a minute.
"You're an educated man, then?"
"I've been to college—do you mean that?"
"You're fit for a clerk's position?"
"I am sure of it."
"Where did you work last?"
Ordway's hesitation was barely perceptible.
"I've been in business," he answered.
"On your own hook?" inquired Baxter.
"Yes, on my own hook."