I was passing through the shop, not daring to stay without leave, though I longed to know what all this was about, when, as I was going behind the counter, my father beckoned to me to stay, and then pointed at me, and looked at the hearty man.
The hearty man said at once, "Ah! That's him, is it? Well, he's a likely lad, he is; would you call him strong now?"
My father nodded.
"Fond of work?" asked the hearty man.
My father nodded again.
"Does what he's told?" asked the hearty man.
My father nodded a third time.
"How old is he?" asked the man.
A nod would not do this time, so my father was obliged to say the single word "Fifteen."
"All right!" said the hearty man. "Well, I tell you it's a good thing for him, this is; a capital chance; it is indeed!"