“And so you are spending your spare time hunting for metals, are you, my lad?” said Mr Temple, gazing sharply at Will.
“Yes, sir.”
“Why?”
Will hesitated for a moment and then said frankly:
“I want to get on, sir, and make myself independent.”
“Capital idea!” said Mr Temple; “but what knowledge have you on the subject? Have you studied mineralogy?”
“Not from books, sir. Only what the miners about here could teach me.”
“But you know a little about these things?”
“Very little, sir; but I’m trying to learn more.”
“Ah! that’s what we are all trying to do,” said Mr Temple quickly. “That will do. Perhaps we shall see a little more of each other.”