And Mrs. Dainton hurried them all in to enjoy it.
CHAPTER VII.
PADDY'S RESOLVE.
Over the pleasant little dinner table Dick's heart was quite won. The
room was so clean and pretty, and the hot meal so good after the meagre
fare of the last fortnight. And the new friends were so kind and
sympathising, it was easy to tell them about the long march from
Venley, and all his hopes about the future. Only there was no uncle
Dick to help him in his heart's desire to become an engineer, and he
would have to fight his own way.
But Mr. Dainton was quite disposed to be a true friend.
"I like your pluck, my boy, and I'll see what I can do, for my old
friend's sake, and for your kindness to a little kitten. I may be able
to get you into our yard, though you'll have to be content with rough
work and very small wages at first. I suppose you haven't a reference
or testimonial of any sort?"
Dick suddenly remembered the slip of paper given him by the gentleman
on horseback, and he gave it silently into Mr. Dainton's hand.
"Why, this is first-rate, my boy! Couldn't be better. Sir Dale
Melville is one of the directors of the line we do so much work for,
and it was luck, or something better, that brought you in his way."
"Something better, I should say," Mrs.
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