“Capital! You’re the first chap I ever had who could read Pliny off.”
Jeffreys’ face lit up. The man spoke as if the thing was settled.
“How will fifteen shillings a week and your meals suit you?” said he.
“Perfectly!” replied the candidate.
“Hum! you’ve got a character, of course?”
Poor Jeffreys’ face fell.
“Do you mean testimonials?”
“No. You can refer to some one who knows you—your old schoolmaster, for instance.”
“I’m afraid not,” faltered the boy.
The man looked perplexed.