“‘Yes, sir.’
“‘Mr. Bramlett was speaking to me about you, and, by the by, he has given you a very favorable recommendation, and I have concluded to offer you employment, if we can agree on terms. I want a boy to help me in my office, and you shall have the place, if you think it will suit you.’
“‘I shall be glad, sir, to get the place, and shall try to please you.’
“‘Very good; I shall not be able to offer you very large wages.’
“‘I could not expect it, sir.’
“‘Then to come to the point, I propose to board and clothe you and your sister for the work you and she can do. She can be a sort of companion to Mrs. Rockland. You see we have no children, therefore your sister will no doubt be able to help Mrs. Rockland in many ways; meantime she can go to school; so can you; but then you will have to work very hard, because I shall require you to work mornings and evenings, and sometimes late at night. This, you know, must be understood before we close the contract. If I board, clothe and educate you and your sister, you see it will require all the money that you and she could earn.’
“‘I am afraid, sir, we shall not be able to earn enough to pay for all that.’
“‘I’ll risk that; but you’ll find I shall keep you very busy. And then I must find a situation for your step-brother.’
“‘He has found a situation with Doctor Dodson, sir.’
“‘Oh! has he? That’s lucky; then we are all right; is it a bargain between us?’