'David, what do you say? Will you take him?'
'I will,' said the old bookkeeper, showing in his expenditure of breath the close economy which was the rule of his life.
'Nothing remains but to arrange his salary and the share he shall have when he becomes a partner,' I remarked to Hallet.
'Will an average of seven hundred a year, and an eighth interest when he's twenty-one, be satisfactory?'
'Entirely so. An eighth in your house will be better than a quarter in ours. As it is now all understood, let David draw up the papers. We will sign them, and leave them with him till I see Frank.'
'Very well. David, please to draw them up,' said Hallet; and then, his voice again trembling a little, he added, 'All is understood, Mr. Kirke, but the compensation I shall make you for your fatherly care of my much neglected son. Money cannot pay for such service, but it will relieve me to reimburse you for your expenditures.'
'I have had my pay, sir, in the love of the boy. I ask no more.'
Hallet was sensibly affected, but without speaking, he turned to the desk, and took down his bankbook. In a few moments he handed me a check. It was for five thousand dollars. I took it, and, hesitating an instant, said:
'I will keep this, sir; not for myself, but for Frank. It may be of service to him at some future time.'
'Keep it for yourself, sir, not for him. He will not need it. He shall share equally with my other children.'