“It is never too late to mend, Mr. Carter,” said Phil, smiling.
“That's very true, even if it is a young philosopher who says it.”
“I don't claim any originality for it, Mr. Carter.”
“By the way, Philip, I have noticed that you always express yourself very correctly. Your education must be good.”
“Yes, sir, thanks to my father, or the man whom I always regarded as my father. I am a fair Latin scholar, and know something of Greek.”
“Were you preparing for college?” asked Mr. Carter, with interest.
“Yes, sir.”
“Would you like to go?”
“I should have gone had father lived, but my step-mother said it was foolishness and would be money thrown away.”
“Perhaps she preferred to incur that expense for her own son?” suggested the old gentleman.