"Can't you get it for me?" asked Phil eagerly.
"I don't think it would be suitable to appoint a boy," returned Courtney. "That is my objection to Grit."
"Surely I would be a better messenger than a common boy like that."
"Of course, you come of a very different family. Still, I prefer a man, and indeed I am in favor of retaining Ephraim Carver."
Phil would really have liked the office of bank messenger. He was tired of studying, and would have found it very agreeable to have an income of his own. He got considerable sums from his father, but not sufficient for his needs, or, rather, his wishes. Besides, like most boys of his age, he enjoyed traveling about, and considered the office a light and pleasant one.
"What a fool Graves must be," he said to himself, "to think of a common boatman for such a place! He'd better stick to his boat, it's all he's qualified for. I'd like to put a spoke in his wheel."
He left the house, and a short distance up the street he met Ephraim Carver, who had come back to town in obedience to Colonel Johnson's suggestion, to learn what he could about the mysterious package.
"I'll see what I can learn from him," thought Phil.
"Good morning, Mr. Carver," he said.
"Good morning, Philip."