"Then I think I may be able to meet your wishes. How old are you?"
"Sixteen."
"You may have seen a boy of ten walking about with me?"
"Yes, sir."
"He is my son. He and I are here alone, but until yesterday I had a nurse in my employ whose sole business was to look after Chester. I felt entire confidence in her, but discovered last evening that she had purloined some jewelry belonging to me. Of course I discharged her instantly, and in consequence am obliged to find some one in her place.
"Chester objects to another nurse. It hurts his boyish pride to have a woman accompanying him everywhere. It appears to me that a boy old enough to look after him will suit him much better. But perhaps you would not like being encumbered with a small boy?"
"I should like it very much, sir," said Jed. "I like young boys, and I am sure I should like your son."
"Come up stairs, then. I will see how he likes you."
Jed followed his new acquaintance up to a suite of two rooms on the second floor. A young boy was at the window. He looked inquiringly at his father and Jed.
"Come here, Chester," said the former. "Are you quite sure you don't want another nurse?"