"It is not so much a matter of age as of shrewdness and reliability. I have been led to think that you possess these qualifications. Of course there would be danger of your being robbed if it were known that you carried such a valuable parcel."
"I am not afraid, sir."
"Of course, again, you must take care not to let it be known what you have in charge. Make what statements you like as to your business. I can safely leave that to your own shrewdness."
"When do you want me to start, Mr. Swan?"
"There is a train this afternoon for Buffalo on the New York Central road. Can you get ready to take that?"
"Yes, sir. May I go home and let my mother know? I am not quite sure whether I have a supply of clean clothes."
"You can buy anything that you need on the way. Have you a gripsack?"
"Yes, sir. My mother has one."
"Will it do?"
"I think so."