"What fellow?" returned Mr. Ashley.
"Why, that chap of yours who has been here. He has helped me through my exercise. Not doing it for me: you need not be afraid; but explaining to me how to do it. He made it easier to me than you do, papa."
Mr. Ashley took the book in his hand, and saw that it was correct. He knew Henry could not, or would not, have made it so himself. Henry continued:
"He said his papa used to explain it to him. Fancy one of your manufactory errand-boys saying 'papa.'"
"You must not class him with the ordinary errand-boys, Henry. The boy has been as well brought up as you have."
"I thought so; for he has impudence about him," was Master Henry's retort.
"Was he impudent to you?"
"To me? Oh no. He is as civil a fellow as ever I spoke to. Indeed, but for remembering who he was, I should call him a gentlemanly fellow. Whilst he was telling me, I forgot who he was, and talked to him as an equal, and he talked to me as one. I call him impudent, because he found fault with your Latin."
"Indeed!" returned Mr. Ashley, an amused smile parting his lips.
"He says this word's wrong. That it ought to be in the vocative case."