"Perhaps you are right at that, my lad. What is your name?"
Steve gave his name and his age, also adding that he had completed half his course at the high school in Duluth.
"Why did you not continue with your school? You should be in school at your age, rather than going to work."
"I should like to be, sir, but circumstances have arisen that make it necessary for me to go to work."
"What are those circumstances?"
"My father died four weeks ago, and I must work to help support my mother," answered the lad, a slight flush suffusing his cheeks.
"Does your mother work?"
"She is not able to take a position, sir. She does some sewing, and, with what I shall be able to earn in a little while, we shall get along very nicely."
"Hm-m-m!" mused the president. "You are very confident."