"To begin with, I'm going to do some sums."
Henry drew from under the bed a tattered arithmetic and a slate and pencil. He opened the arithmetic at interest, and proceeded to set down a problem on the slate.
"Have you got away over there?" asked Sam.
"Yes; I've been at work ever since last October. I don't get on very fast, because I have only my evenings."
"What do you do when you come to a tough customer?"
"I try again. There are some sums I have tried a half a dozen times."
"You must have a lot of patience," said Sam.
"I don't know about that. I always feel paid when I get the right answer at last."
"It must be dull work studyin' every night. I couldn't do it. It would make my head ache."
"Your head is tougher than you think for," said Henry.