Both the gentlemen rose, and Mr.Twining offered her a chair.
Esther accepted the proffered seat, threw up her veil, and said, in a slightly embarrassed tone, "My brother here, took the liberty of replying to an advertisement of yours, and you were kind enough to request him to call at eleven to-day." "We sent a note to _your_ brother ?" said Mr.Twining, in a tone of surprise.
"Yes, sir, and here it is," said she, extending it to him.
Mr.Twining glanced over it, and remarked, "This is your writing, Western;" then taking Charlie's letter from the desk of Mr.Western, he asked, in a doubting tone, "Is this your own writing and composition ?" "My own writing and composing," answered Charlie.
"And it is vewy cweditable to you, indeed," said Mr.Western.
Both the gentlemen looked at the note again, then at Charlie, then at Esther, and lastly at each other; but neither seemed able to say anything, and evident embarrassment existed on both sides.
"And so you thought you would twy for the situation," at last remarked Mr.
Western to Charlie.
"Yes, sir," he answered.

"I was and am very anxious to obtain some employment." "Have you a father ?" asked Mr.Twining.
"Yes, sir; but he was badly injured by the mob last summer, and will never be able to work again." "That's a pity," said Western, sympathisingly; "and what have you been doing ?" "Nothing very recently.

I broke my arm last spring, and was obliged to go into the country for my health.

I have not long returned." "Do your pawents keep house ?" "Not at present.

We are staying with a friend.