Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/46

32 if you can, Dave. Has the professor any ready money?"

"So far as I know, he has next to nothing, sir."

"Then I am going to pay that interest now due, and I'm going to leave a little purse with him besides. I am also going to communicate with some old classmates, so in the future, Professor Potts will be well cared for. I feel he deserves this."

"I think he does myself. He is a nice old gentleman."

"It was queer he should take you for his bound boy?"

"He wanted somebody; that was all there was to it. I did the best I could on the farm, and he paid me back by giving me a pretty fair education."

"Yes, I noticed that you didn't appear to be as ignorant as some of the country lads around here. You can be thankful you have received such instruction. Your learning may be very valuable to you in years to come."

"I know that. If I had my way I'd get all the education I could. But I guess I've got to stick to the farm, or else go at something else for a living."

"If you could do exactly as you pleased, what would you do?" asked Oliver Wadsworth, with increased interest.

"I'd fit myself for college," was the prompt