But when Mr. Robert met Dr. Hamlin, he heard only a little about bread and a great deal about another matter. Though no record of their conversation has been kept, it must have been something like this:
"I'm very much interested in your bread-making, Dr. Hamlin."
"I had no idea what I was getting into," was Dr. Hamlin's probable reply. "But it had to be done. What I'm chiefly interested in is the founding of a Christian college here in Constantinople."
"It must have been a tremendous work to bake all this bread."
"It was, but oh, Mr. Robert, what wonderful work we could do if we could have a college to train young men!"
"And your laundry enterprise, Dr. Hamlin, that must have been the greatest blessing to the sick."
"It made them more comfortable. If we could have a Christian college here, it would leaven the whole empire."
"How did you learn so many trades, Dr. Hamlin?"
"Oh, I picked them up. You see, Mr. Robert," Dr. Hamlin repeated his favorite sentiment, "education is the way to peace and enlightenment. If we could found a large Christian institution where we could train young men in all professions, then they could go out to be the leaders of their people."
It is likely that at this point Mr. Robert gave up trying to get information about bread-making and laundering and said, with a twinkle in his eye, "Well, tell me about your college!"