"I don't think any the less of you for your frankness. Still I am sensible that your promptness and presence of mind saved me from a terrible death—I feel that I ought to do something to show my gratitude."
"You have already repaid me, sir, by your kind words."
"Kind words are well enough, but they are not practical. I should like to take you into my employ but I have no vacancy, and I do not like to discharge any of my old and trusted employees."
"I should not be willing to displace any of them, sir."
"But there may be another way. Are your parents living?"
"My mother is living, and I have a little sister."
"And I suppose they are dependent upon you partly for support."
"Yes, sir."
"Probably you are poor?"
"Yes, sir; our means are very limited."