CHAPTER IX. 

THE GREAT CANAL. 

The commissioner knocked at Mr. George's door at the time appointed. Mr. George and Rollo were both ready. Mr. George counted out the fifteen guilders on the table, and James put them in his pocket. The party then set out. 

Mr. George wished to stop by the way to put a letter in the post office, and to pay the postage of it. He desired to do this personally, for he wished to inquire whether the letter would go direct. So James led them by the way of the post office, and conducted Mr. George into the office where foreign letters were received, and the payment of postage taken for them. Here James served as interpreter. Indeed, it is one of the most important duties of a commissioner to serve as an interpreter to his employer, whenever his services are required in this capacity. 

When the letter was put in, the party resumed their walk. The commissioner went on before, carrying Mr. George's travelling shawl and the umbrella, and Mr. George and Rollo followed. The way lay along a narrow street, by the side of a canal. There were a thousand curious sights to be seen, both among the boats on the canal and along the road; but Rollo could not stop to examine them, for the commissioner walked pretty fast. 

"I wish he would not walk so fast," said Rollo. 

"Ah, yes," said Mr. George, "he is right this morning, for we want to get to the pier in time for the boat. But in walking about the town to see it, it would be a great trouble to us." 

Answer this series of questions:

1. who carried Mr. George's travelling shawl?
2. what else did he carry?
3. what were they on the way to?
4. where did they head after that?
5. who had initially knocked at the door?
6. who was ready there?
7. where did James put the guilders?
8. how many of them were there?
9. why did Mr. George want to go to the post office personally?
10. did he want to ask about something?
11. what?
12. what did James do for him while they were there?
13. was this an important function?
14. were they walking on a wide street after?
15. what was the street beside?

Numbered answers:
1. The commissioner
2. the umbrella
3. the post office
4. the pier
5. The commissioner
6. Mr. George
7. in his pocket
8. fifteen
9. to put a letter in
10. Yes
11. whether the letter would go direct
12. served as interpreter
13. Yes
14. No
15. the side of a canal