Mr Medlock in turn indulged in a careful survey of the boy as he sat shyly before him trying to look self-possessed, but not man of the world enough to conceal his anxiety or excitement.
"Let me see," said Mr Medlock, putting his hands in his pocket and leaning against the mantel-piece, "you replied to the advertisement, didn't you ?" "Yes, sir," said Reginald.
"And what made you think you would suit us ?" "Well, sir," stammered Reginald, "you wanted respectable intelligent young men--and--and I thought I--that is, I hoped I might answer that description." Mr Medlock took one hand out of his pocket and stroked his chin.
"Have you been in the printing trade long ?" "Only a few weeks, sir." "What were you doing before that ?" Reginald flushed.
"I was at school, sir--at Wilderham." "Wilderham?
Why, that's a school for gentlemen's sons." "My father was a gentleman, sir," said the boy, proudly.
"He's dead then ?" said Mr Medlock.

"That is sad.

But did he leave nothing behind him ?" "He died suddenly, sir," said Reginald, speaking with an effort, "and left scarcely anything." "Did he die in debt?
You must excuse these questions, Mr Cruden," added the gentleman, with an amiable smile; "it is necessary to ask them or I would spare you the trouble." "He did die in debt," said Reginald, "but we were able to pay off every penny he owed." "And left nothing for yourself when it was done?
Very honourable, my lad; it will always be a satisfaction to you." "It is, sir," said Reginald, cheering up.
"You naturally would be glad to improve your income.

How much do you get where you are ?" "Eighteen shillings a week." Mr Medlock whistled softly.
"Eighteen shillings; that's very little, very poor pay," said he.

"I should have thought, with your education, you could have got more than that." It pleased Reginald to have his education recognised in this delicate way.
"We had to be thankful for what we could get," said he; "there are so many fellows out of work." "Very true, very true," said Mr Medlock, shaking his head impressively, "we had no less than 450 replies to our advertisement." Reginald gave a gasp.