“You are very kind, sir,” said Gilbert, gratefully; “but it appears that I have already cost you considerable.”
“Oh, that is of no consequence,” said Mr. Briggs, hurriedly. “I was your father’s friend, and naturally I feel an interest in your progress.”
“Thank you, sir; but I don’t like to be a continued burden to you. Do you think it will be long before I can support myself?”
“It will certainly be two years—perhaps three.”
“Of course I don’t know anything about it, but I should think my services ought to be worth my board and clothes before that.”
“We must take things as we find them,” said his guardian. “There are a dozen applicants for every place open to a boy, and while this state of things continues employers will pay low wages. Besides, it is felt that a boy is paid partly in the knowledge of business he acquires.”
“I have no doubt you are right, sir; but how do poor boys manage who have no one to make up the deficiency?”
“Some of them have to live on five dollars a week.”
“Couldn’t I do it?”
“I should not be willing to have you. You have been brought up as a gentleman, and could not get along as well as if you had always been poor.”