It
is a gift from God. Perhaps you would like another glass. No? Then
accommodate me."
He drained this one, with Peter standing, worked his withered lips back
and forth to experience its full taste, then swallowed, and smacked.
"Now, Peter," he said, "the reason I asked you to come to see me is that
I need a man about this house. That will be one phase of your work. The
more important part is that you shall serve as a sort of secretary. I
have here a manuscript." He patted the pile of papers. "My handwriting
is rather difficult. I want you to copy this matter out and get it ready
for the printer."
Peter became more and more astonished.
"Are you offering me a permanent place, Captain Renfrew?" he asked.
The old man nodded.
"I need a man with a certain liberality of culture. I will no doubt have
you run through books and periodicals and make note of any points
germane to my thesis."
Peter looked at the pile of script on the table.
"That is very flattering, Captain; but the fact is, I came by your place
at this hour because I am just in the act of leaving here on the
steamboat to-night.
Pages:
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198