n next to me。
〃I asked him if he would teach us to make money；〃 Mike said。
〃Oh； and what did he say to that？〃 I asked with cautious curiosity。
〃Well； he had a funny look on his face at first； and then he said he would make us an offer。〃
〃Oh；〃 I said； rocking my chair back against the wall； I sat there
perched on two rear legs of the chair。
Mike did the same thing。
〃Do you know what the offer is？〃 I asked。
〃No； but we'll soon find out。〃
Suddenly； Mike's dad burst through the rickety screen door and onto the porch。 Mike and I jumped to our feet； not out of respect but because we were startled。
〃Ready boys？〃 Mike's dad asked as he pulled up a chair to sit down
with us。
We nodded our heads as we pulled our chairs away from the wall to sit in front of him。
He was a big man； about 6 feet tall and 200 pounds。 My dad was taller； about the same weight； and five years older than Mike's dad。 They sort of looked alike； though not of the same ethnic makeup。 Maybe their energy was similar。
〃Mike says you want to learn to make money？ Is that correct； Robert？〃
I nodded my head quickly； but with a little intimidation。 He had a lot of power behind his words and smile。
〃OK； here's my offer。 I'll teach you； but I won't do it classroom…style。 You work for me； I'll teach you。 You don't work for me； I won't teach you。 I can teach you faster if you work； and I'm wasting my time if you just