“You have certainly succeeded remarkably well, Mr. Howard. I was at first led to fear that, on account of your youth, you would be unable to maintain the necessary discipline, though I knew that your scholarship was all that was needed. But the result has proved that my fears were groundless. How has John progressed?”
“He has made progress, General Wall, especially of late. I think he has been dissatisfied with me at times, and thought me too strict, but I wanted to make him thorough. He has good abilities, but at first he did not apply himself sufficiently.”
“I think you are right, Mr. Howard,” said General Wall, who was a sensible man. “You have pursued the right course with him. I want him to become a thorough scholar. But my object in calling this evening was to ask you if you would agree to take the school next term.”
“I hardly know what to say, General Wall. My plans are not fixed.”
“I hope you will agree to do so. I shall be willing to add five dollars a month to your salary from my own purse.”
“That is liberal, General Wall, and I think it very possible that I may be willing to remain here. How long will vacation be?”
“Four weeks. During that time, if you are willing to teach my son an hour a day, I will pay your board here.”
“If I were intending to remain in Portville I would accept the offer, but I shall spend the time in traveling.”
“Indeed! In what direction?”
Walter answered vaguely, for he was not willing to let General Wall know that he meant to visit the mines, in which they were mutually interested.