"
"He's very intelligent, I'm sure. You know it was he who proposed the
plan for our new institution, and Mr. Wicks and Brother Cameron think
it is very fine."
"Does he use good language in his conversation?"
"Oh yes sir, indeed. He is a very interesting talker. He has traveled
so much, and read almost everything. I tell him I think he ought to
preach."
"Hum. And will he, do you think?"
"He said he would if he were convinced it was his work."
"Where did he live before he came here?"
"Oh, he has lived in nearly all the big cities. He was in Kansas City
last."
"And what did his father do?"
"His mother died when he was a little boy, and his father drank himself
to death, or something. He won't talk about his family much. He did
say though, that his father was a mechanic. I believe that he tells
Mr. Udell more about his past than anyone."
"And did Udell tell you all this?"
"No," answered Amy, who suddenly saw what was coming.
"How do you know so much about him then?"
"He told me."
"Indeed. You seem to be on very good terms with this hero. How long
were you at the printing office yesterday? I saw you leaving the
building."
Amy was silent, but her burning cheeks convinced her father that he
had cause to be alarmed.
"Did you talk with him when you were there?"
"Yes sir; he waited on me."
"And do you think it is a credit to your family to be so intimate with
a tramp who was kicked out of my place of business?"
"Oh father, that is not true--I mean, sir, that you do not
understand--Mr.
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