The story made an impression on Jack Staples.
“I shouldn’t wonder if you were right, Bernard,” he said. “He seems to have treated you in a queer way. What sort of a man is this Professor Puffer?”
“I don’t know much about him.”
“Do you like him?”
“No.”
“I’ll tell you what—he looks to me like my stepfather.”
“I am puzzled about him,” said Bernard. “He doesn’t look in the least like a literary man, or a professor.”
“That’s so.”
“Then I find he is intemperate. I haven’t been able to learn anything about his business, or studies, but he is fond of whisky. Do you know, Jack, I don’t believe I shall be content to stay with him very long.”
“Is he a friend of your guardian?”