She questioned him; he told her all his misery, and while he talked she said to herself: "No, I do not mistake; he has a future before him; in two or three years he will be superb.

Three years is not long: the gardener who grafts a young tree is often condemned to wait longer than that." When he had ended his narrative, she told him that she was in want of a secretary, that she had had several, but that she had soon tired of them, on account of their not having the desired qualifications; she asked him if he would like to accept the position.
He replied only by pointing his finger to his father, who was smoking his pipe on the door-step.

A moment later she was closeted with Jeremiah Brohl.
She at once proposed to him to buy his son; he dropped his arms in astonishment, then felt delighted and charmed.

He declared, at first, that his son was not for sale; and then he insinuated that if ever he did sell him he would sell him dear; he was, according to his opinion, merchandise of the best quality, a rich and rare article.

He raised his demands ridiculously; she exclaimed; he affirmed he could not put them lower, that he had his terms, and that he always sold at a fixed price.
They disputed a long time; she was about to give up; he yielded, and they ended by making the transaction.