“No; did you particularly wish to live in the city?”
“No, sir; as long as the position is a good one, and is likely to lead to something, I am not particular.”
“You are a sensible boy. Let me say, then, that my friend Professor Puffer—Ezra Puffer—perhaps you have heard of him—requires a boy of fair education as secretary and literary assistant. Though he has never seen you, he will take you on my recommendation.”
“But, sir,” said Bernard, considerably amazed, “am I qualified to be literary assistant to a professor?”
“As to that, I don’t think anything will be required beyond the ability of a fair scholar. You have a fair education, I take it.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You know a little Latin and French, eh?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And write a good hand?”
“Yes, sir.”