“But a secretary has to know shorthand and typing, doesn't he?”
“Your knowledge of languages and of European ways would count far more with me.”
“Don't you think I'm rather young for such a task?”
“You are older than you look. The main thing is that I can trust you. I couldn't pay you what you would consider an adequate salary — ”
“Oh, I wouldn't let you pay me, Professor Alston!”
“I'll try to get the department to foot the bill. But in any case I would insist upon your being paid. It'll be one of those all day and most of the night jobs that one does because they're urgent, and because they're interesting. You'd meet a lot of important people, and you'd be on the inside of affairs. I should think it ought to be worth a year in college.”
“It sort of takes my breath away,” said Lanny. “It would be the first time I ever earned anything.”
“What do you suppose your father would say?”
“He wants me to meet people; but he's all the time hoping I'll begin to take hold of the munitions business.”
“Well, there's a competition between your father's business and mine right now.” The professor was smiling.