“My name is Herbert Carter. I was employed to read to your son. Have you heard from him?”
“We are expecting a letter daily, but the distance is considerable, and we may have to wait for some time yet. So you are Herbert Carter?”
“Yes, sir.”
“My son was very much interested in you. He has spoken often of you.”
“He was very kind to me.”
“Your father was an inventor.”
“That was not his business, but he devoted his leisure to invention.”
“My son placed in my hands, for examination, a model of his, just before he went away.”
“Have you examined it? What do you think of it, sir?” asked Herbert, eagerly.
“I only recently returned from Europe, and have not thoroughly examined it. So far as I have done so, I am inclined to think favorably of it.”