“I propose to get you into some store or counting-room in the city.”
“Yes, sir. That is what I should like.”
“And,” continued Mr. Briggs, rather embarrassed, “it will probably be necessary for you to obtain a boarding-place nearer the business part of the city than you would be here.”
“I should think it would be better,” said Gilbert, who decidedly preferred a boarding-house to an establishment presided over by Mrs. Briggs, who, he clearly saw, was not disposed to be his friend.
“We have breakfast too late to admit of your getting down-town in time,” continued Mr. Briggs, who seemed to want to justify himself in the eyes of his ward for the inhospitable proposal.
“Yes, sir, I think it will be every way better,” said Gilbert, promptly. “What wages do you think I can get, sir?”
“Why,” said Mr. Briggs, hesitating, “beginners like you seldom command more than five dollars a week at first.”
Gilbert looked serious.
“I suppose,” he said, “this will not be enough to pay all my expenses.”
“Certainly not,” said his guardian, “but you need not feel troubled about that. I will make up the balance necessary till you are far enough advanced to be self-supporting.”