“You have heard the ‘countinghouse’ mentioned, or the business, or the cellars, or the wharf, or something about it.”

“I think I have heard the business mentioned, sir,” I said, remembering what I vaguely knew of his and his sister’s resources. “But I don’t know when.”

“It does not matter when,” he returned. “ Mr. Quinion manages that business.”

I glanced at the latter deferentially as he stood looking out of window.

“ Mr. Quinion suggests that it gives employment to some other boys, and that he sees no reason why it shouldn’t, on the same terms, give employment to you.”