human
I should think you'd want to be condoled with, Ben,
gpt
Halloo! said Ben,
human
I suppose not, said Pickering carelessly, and striding after,
gpt
You needn't be, said Ben brightly,
human
Sweet innocent, you don't know a stepfather,
gpt
I know Dr. Fisher, said Ben,
human
Well, when you want comfort, come to me, said Pickering,
gpt
Don't you fill Ben's ears with your foolishness, said the Senior Partner, coming out of the counting-room.
human
Take yourself off, Pickering; you're hindering Ben.
gpt
I'm caught in the very act. Now, Ben, remember I'm your friend when you get into trouble with your dear pa. Good-by, Uncle, with a bright nod, and a lazy shake of his long figure.
human
Trade always demoralizes me. I'll get back to my books,
gpt
Back to your books, said his uncle grimly,
human
he put a controlling hand on the boy's shoulder,
gpt
marching him into the private office of the firm.
human
Don't you follow Pickering too closely, my boy, he said abruptly;
gpt
Oh! I hope not, sir,
human
It's a fact. Master Nelson says he could be first scholar in the grammar, but for the last six months he's failed steadily. There's no particular reason, only ambition's gone. And when you say that, you mean there's a general collapse of all my hopes concerning him.
gpt
Oh! no, sir, Ben kept on protesting, his ruddy cheek losing its color.
human
He'll take hold by and by and give a pull at his books again.
gpt
It isn't a pull now and then that gets a man up hill, observed Mr. Cabot, leaning back in his revolving chair to look into the blue eyes,
human
I've a mother, said Ben proudly,
gpt
You always tell her everything, do you, Ben?
human
I should think so, sir,
gpt
You'll do, then, said Mr. Cabot, bringing his palm down on a pile of unread letters awaiting him.
human
Go ahead. I don't promise anything, but I will say this. If you work on as you have done these two years since you came in here as errand boy, Ben, I'll make you a power in the house. Understand I don't expect you to do brilliant things; that isn't in your line. You will be a success only as a steady, faithful worker. But keep at it, and hang on to Cabot & Van Meter, and we'll hang on to you.
gpt
Polly, said Dr. Fisher, coming suddenly out of a corner of the library as she ran around the portiere folds,