“Four dollars a week,” returned Harry. “I think I can earn it.”
“I put down three. They’ll never give you four to start with. I guess two and a half’ll be about what we’ll get.”
“I won’t take that.” Harry’s boyish mouth set in a determined line. “A big boy of sixteen who can’t earn at least four dollars a week doesn’t amount to much. I think I’m worth four dollars a week, so I put it down. If I don’t get that, I’ll surely get three. A boy I know, who works in Arnold’s store, says that when you apply for a position in a store you must always ask for more salary than you expect to get. But that isn’t why I put down four dollars. I set it down because I know I can earn it.”
“I guess I’ll change mine.” Ted picked up his pen, hesitated, then laid it down. “Oh, what’s the use of changing it now. I’ve written three, I’ll stick to it and see what happens. Come along. That man in there’ll think we are pretty slow.”
The boys once more made their way to Mr. Keene’s office. He was busy for the moment with a tall, cross-looking man who turned at the interruption and glowered at the two boys like a veritable ogre, then resumed his conversation with Mr. Keene in quick, harsh tones.
“Some crank,” whispered the irrepressible Ted to Harry.
Harry gave his companion a sly poke. Teddy subsided with his usual cheerful grin. But low-spoken as was Teddy’s rude comment, the cranky-looking man had heard. Instead of attributing it to Teddy, however, he glared straight at Harry, as, his business with Mr. Keene finished, he passed the waiting boys and stalked on out of the office. Luckily, at the very instant Teddy had made this careless but uncomplimentary comment, Mr. Keene had been called upon to answer the telephone on his desk. He was still talking when the disagreeable man left his office and under cover of it Harry said sternly, “Cut it, Teddy.”
Teddy, whose quick eyes had noted that the cross-looking man had silently blamed Harry for the rude remark, became at once unduly solemn.
“Here are our applications, sir.” Harry was again spokesman. He laid his application blank on Mr. Keene’s desk. Teddy followed suit. Mr. Keene looked searchingly at the two eager, boyish faces. Long experience in the handling and training of promising youth had taught him to read boy nature. In Harry’s and Teddy’s features he saw much that appealed to him, and before reading their meagre histories and expectations as set down on the blanks before him, he had determined to give them a chance. However, he merely said, “Very well, young men. You may come here to this office at half past seven o’clock to-morrow morning and I will see what I can do for you. Bring your certificates with you.”
“Thank you, sir. Good morning,” said Harry politely.