“Prescott, sir.”
“Yes—Samuel Prescott. And how have you been?”
“I've been very well, sir.”
“I meant to leave a message for you, but I overlooked it. I had so many things to attend to in the rush of departure. I—er—I hope you didn't wait for me.”
“I had nothing else to do, sir,” said Samuel.
“The truth is,” continued the other, “I'm afraid I shan't be able to do for you what I thought I could.”
Samuel's heart went down into his boots.
“You see,” said the professor a trifle embarrassed, “my sister wanted a man to look after her place, but I found she had already engaged some one.”
There was a pause. Samuel simply stared.
“Of course, as the man is giving satisfaction—you see—it wouldn't do for her to send him away.”