He did so, and meeting in the doorway a tall, elegant-looking young man, he asked for Mr.Selden.
"My uncle," returned the gentleman, who was none other than George Moreland, "has not yet come down, but perhaps I can answer your purpose just as well.

Do you wish to purchase goods ?" Billy, thinking that every one must know his poverty, fancied there was something satirical in the question, but he was mistaken; the manner was natural to the speaker, who, as Billy made no direct reply, again asked.

"What would you like, sir ?" "Something to do, for I have neither money nor home," was Billy's prompt answer.
"Will you give me your name ?" asked George.
Billy complied, and when he spoke of his native town, George repeated it after him, saying, "I have some acquaintances who spend the summer in Chicopee; but you probably have never known them." Immediately Billy thought of the Lincolns, and now knew why the name of Selden seemed so familiar.

He had heard Jenny speak of Ida, and felt certain that R.J.Selden was her father.
For a moment George regarded him intently, and then said, "We seldom employ strangers without a recommendation; still I do not believe you need any.

My uncle is wanting a young man, but the work may hardly suit you," he added, naming the duties he would be expected to perform, which certainly were rather menial.