"Ye enter into office, so to speak, with me at that hour,
when the sellery, seventy-five dollars a month and board, ez private and
confidential clerk, begins--eh?"
Rupert's dimples deepened in charming, almost feminine, embarrassment.
"But dad--?" he stammered.
"Et's all right with HIM. He's agreeable."
"But--?"
Uncle Ben followed Rupert's glance at Johnny, who however appeared to be
absorbed in the pattern of Uncle Ben's new trousers.
"That's fixed," he said with a meaning smile. "There's a sort o' bonus
we pays down, you know--for a Chinyman to do the odd jobs."
"And teacher--Mr. Ford--did ye tell him?" said Rupert brightening.
Uncle Ben coughed slightly. "He's agreeable, too, I reckon. That is,"
he wiped his mouth meditatively, "he ez good ez allowed it in gin'ral
conversation a week ago, Roop."
A swift shadow of suspicion darkened the boy's brown eyes. "Is anybody
else goin' with us?" he said quickly.
"Not this yer trip," replied Uncle Ben complacently. "Ye see, Roop," he
continued, drawing him aside with an air of comfortable mystery, "this
yer biz'ness b'longs to the private and confidential branch of the
office.
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