"It would be a pretty poor kind of a boy who couldn't do more'n wash that many windows in a day an' a half," Seth replied laughingly, fancying that this man's gruff manner was no indication of bad temper, but rather the reverse.
"They tell me you're counting on being a fireman one of these days?"
"Yes, sir," Seth replied promptly and decisively.
"You seem to be pretty certain of it."
"So I am, sir, 'cause I'll get there after a time if I work hard."
"You will for a fact, my son, if you believe it as firmly as you seem to. How much have you seen of the building so far?"
"I've only been in the room where I was workin' yesterday."
"Come up into the gymnasium with me. I'm running things in that quarter, an' it might be we can work you in with better profit there, than at window-washing."
It was as if Seth's heart gave a great bound just then, for in the gymnasium was begun the first of the fireman's lessons, and if he should be so fortunate as to be set at work there it seemed that advancement must necessarily be rapid.
Even though he had had less reason of wishing to be occupied in this portion of the building, he could not but have been delighted when he entered the well-appointed place, and he gazed around in what was very like an ecstasy of joy until suddenly aroused by the voice of this new acquaintance.