Here he broke off suddenly and remained in a brown study. He seemed so melancholy that I interrupted his thoughts by asking:
"And what could you do for me?" He brightened up again as I spoke, and answered:
"Who can tell? What are your troubles?"
"Well," said I thoughtfully, "I haven't many. But I should like the advice of some one older and wiser than I am."
"I shall not say how wise I may be," said the little man soberly; "but perhaps, having lived forty centuries, I may be old enough to advise a young man of twenty-three."
I looked up, expecting to see him smiling, but he was as sober as a judge. So I told him all about my uncle and my work, and concluded by asking him what he thought I ought to do. He seemed intensely interested, and remained silent some moments after I had finished. I waited more anxiously for his opinion than I should have liked to admit.
At length he said solemnly, "Bring your uncle to me!"
"Bring——" I repeated, in amazement, "bring my——"
"Bring your uncle to me!" he repeated firmly, and so solemnly that I never thought of resisting.
"Oh, very well," I said hastily; "but how in the world am I to do it?"