"I don't think it will be necessary," answered Ben. "I have taken lessons in bookkeeping at home, and, though it seems like boasting, I was better in mathematics than any of my schoolfellows."
"I am so glad to hear that. Can you write well?"
"Shall I write something for you?"
"Do so."
Mrs. Hamilton vacated her place, and Ben, sitting at the desk, wrote two or three copies from remembrance.
"Very well, indeed!" said his patroness approvingly. "I see that in engaging you I have made no mistake."
Ben's cheek flushed with pleasure, and he was eager to enter upon his new duties. But he could not help wondering why he had been selected when Conrad was already in the house, and unemployed. He ventured to say:
"Would you mind telling me why you did not employ Conrad, instead of sending for me?"
"There are two good and sufficient reasons: Conrad is not competent for such an office; and secondly, I should not like to have the boy about me as much as he would need to be. I have obtained for him a position out of the house. One question remains to be considered: How much wages do you expect?"
"I would prefer to leave that to you, Mrs. Hamilton. I cannot expect high pay."