“Ten dollars!” ejaculated Mr. Perkins. “Just what I thought. Because you've been to college you think you are worth a big salary.”
“Do you call that a big salary, sir?” asked Walter, disconcerted.
“It wouldn't be if you had a couple of years' experience, but for a beginner it is simply—enormous.”
“What did you expect to pay?” asked Walter, in a depressed tone.
“Five dollars is about the figure.”
“I couldn't work for that, sir. It wouldn't pay my board.”
“Where are you boarding—at the Palmer House?” inquired Perkins, rather sarcastically.
“No, sir. I am at a cheap boarding-house on Harrison Street, where I pay six dollars a week,” answered Walter, with spirit.
“Then I don't think we can make a bargain, although I rather like your looks.”
This, at any rate, was a little encouraging.