Gradually Paul approached, and at last he took up a pair of the boots, and asked the price. Scheffer named it; Paul threw them down again.
'You might as well ask fifty dollars as three. It's you fellows who have all the money.'
'Do you think so?' answered Scheffer; and he began to collect his goods again, and to pack them in separate boxes. He was careful, however, to throw aside the pair that had tempted Mitchell to confess a truth.
At last, when the counter was cleared, he took the boots, and said to the boy, pointing to one of the sofas:
'Sit down there, my man.'
Paul did as bidden. Scheffer untied his shoestring, drew off the dusty, worn-out shoe, and tried the pair in his hand. The fit was perfect.
Then Scheffer looked up, and, without rising, asked:
'How long have you to study before you graduate?'
'Five years.'
'Why do you speak in that way?'