Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/55

Rh Mr. Wadsworth heaved a long sigh, and for the moment there was silence. Dave was wondering what was coming.

"The boy tells me that he would like to obtain a thorough education," resumed the manufacturer. "I was going to give my son the best of educations. Now I am thinking of doing as much by this boy. What do you think of it, professor?"

"Grand! grand!" cried Caspar Potts, enthusiastically. "You are more than kind, Mr. Wadsworth! It will be the making of Dave!"

"And what do you say, Dave?"

"I—I don't know what to say," was the stammered-out answer. "Do you mean that you will send me to school and then to college?"

"That is exactly what I do mean, my lad. You will need to go to a first-class preparatory school, and then, if you pass the required examination, you can go to college."

"He'll pass the examination," burst in Caspar Potts. "He has it in him! I know! Mr. Wadsworth, you are a gentleman, sir, after my own heart. This is grand, magnificent!" and the old professor glowed with enthusiasm.

"Does it strike you favorably, Dave?"

"Why, sir, I—I really don't deserve this," said the boy. "It's too much! Why, I'm almost a stranger to you!"

"Let me be the judge of that, lad. Remember,