John Nugent smiled.
"Would you prefer me as an employer to Mr. Tubbs?" he asked, after a pause.
"Very much," answered Gerald, brightening up.
He wondered, however, what Mr. Nugent could have for him to do. There seemed no chance in his establishment for a boy like himself unless Mr. Nugent needed some one to work for him. Gerald was willing to do this, though he would have preferred some out-of-door employment.
"Perhaps you wish me to do some writing?" he suggested, in a tone of inquiry.
"No, I may wish to send you on a journey. Would you object to that?"
"No, sir; I should be delighted to have the chance to travel."
"So I supposed," said Mr. Nugent, with a benevolent smile. "Most young people enjoy that."
"Am I to go with you, sir?"
"No. I am not a good traveler. A cold, which I should be very apt to contract, would be likely to bring on my old enemy, rheumatism. At my age a man prefers to linger by his own fireside. You are not afraid of rheumatism?" he added, in a jocular tone.