You might make an excuse to send him home presently.

You are a discreet man, Mr.Ham.' 'In everybody's business but my own, Mr.Downy.
The stranger took up his parcel and marched out, and the boots having been restored to their owners work was resumed.

About twenty minutes later Dick was called out, and Joel presented him with an envelope.
'Take that note to your mother, Ginger, will you?
Stay a moment,' he said, as Dick turned away.

He took the boy by the coat and blinked at him complaisantly for a moment.
'When in doubt, my boy, always tell the truth,' he said.
Noting a puzzled expression in Dick's face, he condescended to explain.
'When you're asked many questions and want an answer, tell the truth.
Lies, my boy, are for fools and rogues--remember, fools and rogues.' Dick set his lips and nodded; and the master, after regarding him curiously for a moment, actually patted his head--an uncommon exhibition of feeling on his part that caused the scholars to gape with wonderment.
When Dick reached his home he was astonished to find his mother seated in the front room with her handkerchief to her eyes, crying quite violently.
Opposite her sat the man in drab, swinging his hat between his knees and looking exactly as if he had just been awakened from a nap.

The man walked to the door, locked it, and then resumed his seat.
'Now, my lad,' he said, 'attend to me.