Part 7 (1/2)
”No; still it keeps me out in the open air, and that is something. Now tell me, what are your plans?”
”My hope is to find something to do that will enable me to help mother; but there doesn't seem much chance of finding anything in Wayneboro. Do you think I could get a place in the city?”
”You might; but even if you did, you would find it difficult to earn your own living, and there would be no chance of your helping your mother.”
Herbert, though naturally sanguine and hopeful, looked sober. Just then he had a bite, and drew out a good-sized pickerel. This gave a new direction to his thoughts, and he exclaimed, triumphantly:
”Look at this pickerel! He must weigh over two pounds.”
”All of that,” said the young man, rising and examining the fish with interest. ”Let me use your pole, and see what luck I have.”
”Certainly.”
The young man, some ten minutes later, succeeded in catching a smaller pickerel, perhaps half the size of Herbert's.
”That will do for me,” he said, ”though it doesn't come up to your catch.”
For two hours Herbert and his friend alternately used the pole, and the result was quite a handsome lot of fish.
”You have more fish than you want,” said the young man. ”You had better bring what you don't want to the hotel. I heard the landlord say he would like to buy some.”
”That would suit me,” said Herbert. ”If he wants fish, I want money.”
”Come along with me, then. Really, I don't know when I have pa.s.sed a forenoon so pleasantly. Usually I get tired of my own company, and the day seems long to me. I believe I see my way clear to a better way of spending my time. You say you want a place. How would you like me for an employer?”
”I am sure I should like you, but you are not in any business.”
”No,” said the young man, smiling; ”or, rather, my business is the pursuit of health and pleasure just now. In that I think you can help me.”
”I shall be very glad to, if I can, Mr.---”
”My name is George Melville. Let me explain my idea to you. I want your company to relieve my solitude. In your company I shall have enterprise enough to go hunting and fis.h.i.+ng, and follow out in good faith my doctor's directions. What do you say?”
Herbert smiled.
”I would like that better than being in the post office,” he said. ”It would seem like being paid for having a good time.”
”How much would you consider your services worth?” asked Mr. Melville.
”I am content to leave that to you,” said Herbert.
”Suppose we say six dollars a week, then?”
”Six dollars a week!” exclaimed Herbert, amazed.
”Isn't that enough?” asked Melville, smiling.
”It is more than I can earn. Mr. Graham thought he was over-paying me with three dollars a week.”