And Roop's mighty sharp for a boy, ye know." * Two bits, i.e., twenty-five cents.
The master reflected a moment and concluded that Uncle Ben was probably right.

Rupert Filgee, who was a handsome boy of fourteen, was also a strongly original character whose youthful cynicism and blunt, honest temper had always attracted him.

He was a fair scholar, with a possibility of being a better one, and the proposed arrangement with Uncle Ben would not interfere with the discipline of school hours and might help them both.

Nevertheless he asked good-humoredly, "But couldn't you do this more securely and easily in your own house?
I might lend you the books, you know, and come to you twice a week." Uncle Ben's radiant face suddenly clouded.

"It wouldn't be exactly the same kind o' game to me an' Roop," he said hesitatingly.