I explained to him my situation.
“Any friends?”
I informed him I was entirely dependent upon my own efforts.
“Any money? Anything coming in?”
I told him I had a few pounds still remaining to me, but that after that was gone I should be penniless.
“And to think, Kelver, that there are hundreds, thousands of young fellows precisely in your position! How sad, how very sad! How long have you been looking for a berth?”
“A month,” I answered him.
“I thought as much. Do you know why I selected your letter out of the whole batch?”
I replied I hoped it was because he judged from it I should prove satisfactory.
“Because it's the worst written of them all.” He pushed it across to me. “Look at it. Awful, isn't it?”