“Very good,” said his host, approvingly. “Your hand is good enough for a copyist, but you are correct in supposing that work of that kind is hard to get. Are you a good reader?”
“Do you mean in reading aloud, sir?”
“Yes.”
“I will try, if you wish.”
“Take a book from the table—any book—and let me hear you read.”
Frank opened the first book that came to hand—one of Irving’s and read in a clear, unembarrassed voice about half a page.
“Very good indeed!” said Mr. Wharton. “You have been well taught. Where did you attend school?”
“Only in the town school, sir.”
“You have, at any rate, made good use of your advantages.”
“But will it do me any good, sir?” asked Frank.