CHAPTER IX. THE OLD GENTLEMAN PROVES A FRIEND.

 The old gentleman sat down in an arm-chair and waved his hand toward a small rocking-chair, in which Phil seated himself.

“I conclude that you had a good reason for leaving home, Philip,” said Mr. Carter, eying our hero with a keen, but friendly look.

“Yes, sir; since my father's death it has not been a home to me.”

“Is there a step-mother in the case?” asked the old gentleman shrewdly.

“Yes, sir.”

“Any one else?”

“She has a son.”

“And you two don't agree?”

“You seem to know all about it, sir,” said Phil, surprised.

“I know something of the world—that is all.”

Phil began to think that Mr. Carter's knowledge of the world was very remarkable¹. He began to wonder whether he could know anything more—could suspect the secret which Mrs. Brent had communicated to him. Should he speak of it? He decided² at any rate to wait, for Mr. Carter, though kind, was a comparative stranger.

“Well,” continued the old gentleman, “I won't inquire too minutely into the circumstances. You don't look like a boy that would take such an important step as leaving home without a satisfactory reason. The next thing is to help you.”

Phil's courage rose as he heard these words. Mr. Carter was evidently a rich man, and he could help him if he was willing. So he kept silence, and let his new friend do the talking.

“You want a place,” continued Mr. Carter. “Now, what are you fit for?”

“That is a hard question for me to answer, sir. I don't know.”

“Have you a good education?”

“Yes, sir; and I know something of Latin and French besides.”

“You can write a good hand?”

“Shall I show you, sir?”

“Yes; write a few lines at my private desk.”

Phil did so, and handed the paper to Mr. Carter.

“Very good,” said the old gentleman approvingly.

“That is in your favor. Are you good at accounts?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Better still.”

“Sit down there again,” he continued. “I will give you a sum in interest.”

Phil resumed his seat.

“What is the interest of eight hundred and forty-five dollars and sixty cents for four years, three months and twelve days, at eight and one-half per cent?”

Phil's pen moved fast in perfect silence for five minutes. Then he announced the result.

“Let me look at the paper. I will soon tell you whether it is correct.”

After a brief examination, for the old gentleman was himself an adept³ at figures, he said, with a beaming smile:

“It is entirely⁴ correct. You are a smart boy.”

“Thank you, sir,” said Phil, gratified.

“And you deserve a good place—better than you will probably get.”

Phil listened attentively⁵. The last clause was not quite so satisfactory.

“Yes,” said Mr. Carter, evidently talking to himself, “I must get Pitkin to take him.”

Phil knew that the lady whom he had already met was named Pitkin, and he rightly concluded that it was her husband who was meant.

“I hope he is more agreeable than his wife,” thought Philip.

“Yes, Philip,” said Mr. Carter, who had evidently made up his mind, “I will try to find you a place this afternoon.

“I shall be very much obliged, sir,” said Philip gladly.

“I have already told you that my nephew and I are in business together, he being the active and I the silent partner. We do a general shipping⁶ business. Our store is on Franklin Street. I will give you a letter to my nephew and he will give you a place.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Wait a minute and I will write the note.”

Five minutes later Phil was on his way down town with his credentials⁷ in his pocket.

1 remarkable   

adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的

参考例句：

• She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
• These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。

2 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

3 adept   

adj.老练的，精通的

参考例句：

• When it comes to photography,I'm not an adept.要说照相，我不是内行。
• He was highly adept at avoiding trouble.他十分善于避开麻烦。

4 entirely   

ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
• His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。

5 attentively   

adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神

参考例句：

• She listened attentively while I poured out my problems. 我倾吐心中的烦恼时，她一直在注意听。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• She listened attentively and set down every word he said. 她专心听着，把他说的话一字不漏地记下来。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 shipping   

n.船运（发货，运输，乘船）

参考例句：

• We struck a bargain with an American shipping firm.我们和一家美国船运公司谈成了一笔生意。
• There's a shipping charge of ￡5 added to the price.价格之外另加五英镑运输费。

7 credentials   

n.证明，资格，证明书，证件

参考例句：

• He has long credentials of diplomatic service.他的外交工作资历很深。
• Both candidates for the job have excellent credentials.此项工作的两个求职者都非常符合资格。