I have obtained a dozen places for him, but he is always sent back at the end of three or four days, and I told him last time that I would never say a word in his recommendation again, for that it only gets me into trouble with the gentlemen." "Well, that is honest," Hector said with a smile.

"However, I will ask him a few questions.

Now, Paolo, in the first place, could you be faithful ?" "I could be faithful to a master I loved," he said.
"In the second place, are you honest ?" "He is honest," the man said, "I will say that for him." "Are you truthful ?" "I am as truthful as other people," the boy said.
"What do you mean by that ?" "I mean, sir, that if I were asked a straightforward question I would give a straightforward answer, unless it were wiser not to do so.

I would tell the truth to my master, but I do not consider it necessary always to do so to others.

For instance, sir, if you were my master, and questions were asked about you, there might be times when it would not be convenient for you that I should mention where you had gone, or what you were doing." "That is so," Hector said with a laugh.