The Secretary stated to the schoolmaster how the object was, to send to him for certain occasional evening instruction, a youth whom Mr. and Mrs. Boffin wished to help to an industrious and useful place in life. The schoolmaster was willing to undertake the charge of such a pupil. The Secretary inquired on what terms? The schoolmaster stated on what terms. Agreed and disposed of.

“May I ask, sir,” said Bradley Headstone, “to whose good opinion I owe a recommendation to you?”

“You should know that I am not the principal here. I am Mr. Boffin’s Secretary. Mr. Boffin is a gentleman who inherited a property of which you may have heard some public mention; the Harmon property.”