"What is it, sir?" said the young man courteously.

"Didn't I hear you quoting Greek just now?"

"Yes, sir."

"How happens it that a classical scholar like you finds himself in
such a position?"

The young man smiled.

"How much do you think I am earning?"

"I can't guess. I am a stranger in this city."

"Twenty dollars a day."

"Capital! I don't feel as much surprised as I did. Are you a
college graduate?"

"Yes, sir. I was graduated at Yale. Then I studied law and three
months since I came out here. It takes time to get into practise at
home and I had no resources to fall back upon. I raised money enough
to bring me to California and came near starving the first week I was
here. I couldn't wait to get professional work, but I had an offer
to drive a dray. I am a farmer's son and was accustomed to hard work
as a boy. I accepted the offer and here I am. I can lay up half my
earnings and am quite satisfied."

"But you won't be a drayman all your life?"