I recommend that you send the other back to New York." They considered this advice seriously.
"I think Mr.Smith is right," observed Patsy.

"The girls have not seemed busy, at all, and spend most of their time laughing and talking together." "It will cut down expenses a lot," said Beth, "and I'm sure we ought to be able to run this paper more economically than we have been doing." Uncle John looked at the man thoughtfully.
"Where did you learn the printing business ?" he asked.
"I--I don't know, sir." "What offices have you worked in ?" "I cannot tell you that, sir." "You seem to answer all my questions with the statement that you 'don't know,'" asserted Mr.Merrick, with an annoyed frown.

"Is there any reason you should refuse to tell us of your former life ?" "None whatever, sir." "Who are you, Smith ?" "I--I don't know, sir." Mr.Merrick was getting provoked.
"This obstinacy is not likely to win our confidence," he said.

"Under the circumstances I think we ought to know something more about you, before we allow you to undertake so much responsibility.

You seem a bright, able young man, and I've no doubt you understand the work you're about to undertake, but if we have no knowledge of your antecedents you may cause us considerable future trouble." Smith bowed his head and his cheeks flamed red.
"I have no knowledge of my antecedents to confide to you, sir," he said in a low voice.
Uncle John sighed regretfully and turned away, but Patsy looked at the man with new interest.
"Won't you please explain that a little more fully ?" she gently inquired.
"I am quite willing to tell all I know," said he; "but that is very little, I assure you.