“I am quite willing to sign any document you like if you can do this without inconveniencing yourself, Mr Romer,” said Ned, eagerly.
Mr Jabez Raymond gazed upon his ward for a few moments silently, while he appeared to think. Then he spoke.
“It is not exactly professional; but as you wish to try your fortune in Africa, while from all reports, Africa is the coming land for fortune-making, I think it can be done. I wish you first to read over carefully these documents, in which all I have told you is written, and also examine carefully this parchment, which I have drawn up for you to sign—examine them and consult together about them. When you have done this, if you decide to have the money down now, instead of drawing it quarterly for the next four years, you can let me know on my return at lunch-time.”
Mr Jabez rose as he said these words, and leaving the boys to study the pile of parchment, he went out to attend to his other business.
They had been accustomed to difficult problems at Dr Heardman’s Academy, but those were simple to solve compared to the understanding of these legally obscured documents. After a long hour of bewilderment, Ned laid them down respectfully in a heap, and turned dolefully upon his trusty but equally befogged comrades.
“Well, boys, what do you make out of these mysteries?”
“Nothing, except a dry throat and an aching head,” replied Clarence Raybold.
“Let’s go for a walk, and get some gooseberries. I’m not going to attempt the impossible,” cried Ned, decidedly.
This proposal was grateful to the others, so together they went out to the sun, and enjoyed themselves till lunch-time. After lunch the lawyer read over the document which required the signature of Ned. It sounded all right, although terribly garnished with obscure phrases. There were blank spaces to be afterwards filled up, such as the amounts received, with the terms of repayment, dates, and conditions, which Mr Jabez explained as he read in his most fatherly tones.
It sounded all right, therefore Ned put his name boldly at the bottom in the presence of Miss Priscilla Raymond and his two friends, who afterwards signed theirs as witnesses.