Frank was much gratified by these words. This was the only point on which he had felt at all doubtful as to his ability to please his employer.
Sometimes, when his eyes pained him more than usual, Mr. Percival also employed him to read to him from the daily papers, or from some book in which he was interested, but this did not occur regularly.
Every day, however, Frank was occupied with Freddie. The little boy knew his alphabet, but nothing more, so that his young teacher had to begin with him at the beginning of the primer.
He succeeded in interesting his little pupil, and did not protract his term of study so as to weary him.
Finding that the little fellow was fond of hearing stories, he read to him every day a story or two from Hans Christian Andersen, or from a collection of German fairy stories, and sometimes went out to walk with him.
Freddie was delighted with his teacher, and freely expressed his approval to his mother and grandfather.
"Really, Frank," said Mrs. Gordon, "I shall begin to be jealous of your hold upon Freddie. I am not sure but he likes your company better than mine."
"I don't think Freddie will prefer anyone to his mother," said Frank; "but I am glad he likes to be with me."
"You have certainly proved very successful as a private tutor, Frank," said Mrs. Gordon, "and my father tells me you succeeded equally well as a secretary."
"It is partly because you both treat me so indulgently," answered Frank, gracefully.