“Do you like Abel?”
Gabriel paused a moment; then said,
“No, Sir.”
The merchant looked at the boy for a few moments.
“Who did you like at school?”
“Oh, I liked Jim Greenidge and Little Malacca best,”, replied Gabriel, as if the whole world must be familiar with those names.
At the mention of the latter Lawrence Newt looked interested, and, after talking a little more, said,
“Gabriel, I take you into my office.”
He called Mr. Tray.
“Thomas Tray, this is the youngest clerk, Gabriel Bennet. Gabriel, this is the head of the outer office, Mr. Thomas Tray. Thomas, ask Venables to step this way.”