He stopped short and went on stroking one cat’s back, as it rubbed against his leg, and he seemed to be thinking very deeply.
“Yes, all nonsense. See here; wait for a week or two, perhaps one of your uncles may find you something to do, or send you to a good school, eh?”
“No, sir,” I said; “my uncle Frederick said I must not expect to be sent to a school.”
“Oh he did, did he?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Well, then, if nothing better turns up—if they don’t find you a good place, you might come and help me.”
“Help you, sir!” I said wonderingly; “what, learn to be a market-gardener?”
“Yes, there’s nothing so very dreadful in that, is there?”
“Oh no, sir! but what could I do?”
“Heaps of things. Tally the bunches and check the sieves, learn to bud and graft, and how to cut young trees, and—oh, I could find you enough to do.”