His
name is John French, and his mother was an
old schoolmate of mine, though some years
younger. Now I know nothing of him. If
he is a sober, steady, industrious young man,
I may comply with his request. This boy will
investigate and report to me."
"And you will be guided by his report?"
"Probably."
"Aunt Rachel, you are certainly very eccentric."
"I may be, but I am not often deceived."
"Well, I hope you won't be this time. The boy
seems to me a very good boy, but you can't
put an old head on young shoulders."
"Some boys have more sense than men twice their age."
"You don't mean me, I hope, Aunt Rachel,"
said Mr. Norris, smiling.
"Indeed, I don't. I shall not flatter you by
speaking of you as only twice this boy's age."
"I see, Aunt Rachel, there is no getting the
better of you."
Meanwhile Carl was making business calls.
He obtained a map of the city, and located the
different firms on which he proposed to call.
He had been furnished with a list by Mr.
Jennings. He was everywhere pleasantly received
--in some places with an expression of surprise
at his youth--but when he began to talk
he proved to be so well informed upon the
subject of his call that any prejudice excited
by his age quickly vanished. He had the
satisfaction of securing several unexpectedly
large orders for the chair, and transmitting
them to Mr. Jennings by the afternoon mail.
He got through his business at four o'clock,
and rested for an hour or more at his hotel.
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