“I thought not. You see, we of to-day are rather ahead of Demosthenes and Cicero, and those old fellows. I suppose Rome was quite a sizable place.”
“I have always heard so,” answered Walter.
“I'll bet a quarter it wasn't as big or as smart a place as Chicago. I don't believe they had any such hotel there as the Palmer House, or any dry-good store as big as Marshall Field's.”
“I don't believe they did,” Walter admitted.
“Did Rome ever win the baseball championship?” demanded Mr. Perkins.
“No, sir.”
“I thought not. Then what's the use in spending four years over those old fellers? How is it going to help you?”
“I don't expect it will help me to earn a living, sir. Do you think you can employ me?”
“What are your ideas as to a salary, young man?”
“I thought of ten dollars,” said Walter, hesitatingly.