I will pay a thousand to start on, and if he draws and travels all right, may be better in the long run," etc.

John handed back the letter with a slight smile, which was reflected in the face of the general.

"What do you think of it ?" asked the latter.
"I should think it might be very characteristic," remarked John.
"Yes," said the general, "it is, to an extent.

You see he writes pretty fair English, and he can, on occasion, talk as he writes, but usually, either from habit or choice, he uses the most unmitigated dialect.

But what I meant to ask you was, what do you think of the proposal ?" "You mean as an opportunity for _me_ ?" asked John.
"Yes," said General Wolsey, "I thought of you at once." "Thank you very much," said John.