"Can you make him useful here?" said Mr. Stephens, thoughtfully, balancing his pen on his finger.
"Useful? No, sir, I fear not—at least not just at present."
"Can you keep him busy then?"
"Yes, sir, certainly."
"Then send for him," said Mr. Stephens, briefly, resuming his writing.
Theodore turned suddenly and bestowed a delightful look on his employer as he said eagerly:
"If there were only a few more people actuated by your principles we should need fewer Orphans' Homes."
"Confound that fellow and his impudence!" said the irate Mr. Hastings, as he finished detailing an account of Tommy's exit from the Euclid House under the supervision and influence of Mr. Mallery.
Pliny glanced up from his dish of soup, and opened his eyes wide in pretended surprise.
"One would suppose, sir, that you were not particularly grateful to the fellow for his rescue of your daughter from an untimely grave," he said, demurely.