“No sir,” said Paul, smiling, “not much.”
“Well, that's important; how much wages do you expect?”
“I suppose,” said Paul, hesitating, “I couldn't expect very much at first.”
“Of course not; green, you know. What do you say to a dollar a week?”
“A dollar a week!” exclaimed Paul, in dismay, “I hoped to get enough to pay for my board.”
“Nonsense. There are plenty of boys glad enough to come for a dollar a week. At first, you know. But I'll stretch a point with you, and offer you a dollar and a quarter. What do you say?”
“How soon could I expect to have my wages advanced?” inquired our hero, with considerable anxiety.
“Well,” said Smith, “at the end of a month or two.”
“I'll go home and speak to my uncle about it,” said Paul, feeling undecided.
“Can't keep the place open for you. Ah, there's another boy at the door.”