“Why should I?”
“Because my messenger is a boy of sixteen.”
“You are not in earnest, surely?”
“Yes, I am.”
“What could induce you to employ a mere boy?”
“He is one of my creditors—Tom Temple. He volunteered to go, and asked for no allowance for expenses.”
“Very kind, no doubt, but you might as well have sent nobody.”
“You may be right. Still Tom is a bright, smart lad.”
“I hope you don’t base any very extravagant hopes on this mission.”
“I never have been very sanguine, Hugh, for the mission presents difficulties even to man. Still I would rather trust Tom than some men.”