"Nothing new, sir,—a little for my father and a little for myself."
"I saw you doing something for your father, I think to-day. Doesn't that hinder your studies?"
"Mr. Linden used to say that one duty never really hinders another, sir."
"Pleasant doctrine!" said the doctor. "I am tempted to try it now. If you bestow a little time upon me, it will not perhaps interfere with your going to dinner afterwards. Does Mr. Linden continue to hold some of his supervision over you? Do you hear from him sometimes?"
"Yes sir—both,"—was Reuben's prompt answer.
"Then you have something to do with the post-office occasionally?"
"Yes sir."
"And know pretty well what everybody in Pattaquasset says of every other body,—don't you?"
"I don't need to go to the post office for that, sir," Reuben said quietly.
"No—I mean by virtue of another office—that which you exercise for your father. But it is true, isn't it?"