“Irish as can be. Don’t I look it? And proud of it, at that. Now you just listen to me, Harry. Keep out of Mr. Barton’s way as much as you can. If there’s anything you don’t know, ask me. Now you’d better take a walk around the jewelry and the book department and find out where you’re at. Size up ‘jewelry’ first and then come back here. I may have something for you to do. If I don’t need you, you can chase yourself over into the books for a walk around. If you hear me call ‘45’ at any time, then come over here as fast as your feet’ll let you.”
“Thank you for being so kind. I certainly will try hard to please you.” Harry forgot his shyness. This pretty girl with her sharp tongue and slang phrases was quite different from his meek, quiet little mother, but he felt somehow that she had the same warm heart.
“Listen to the kid.” Margaret Welch beamed on Harry and made a mental resolve that old Cross-patch would have to let him alone or settle with her. And thus Harry Harding began his store life by making an enemy and a friend.
In the meantime, Teddy Burke, greatly to his displeasure, had been left to thrive or languish among the kettles and pans. There was little danger of Teddy languishing. His was a disposition that longed to be up and doing. House furnishings were altogether too tame to suit his active tastes. Still, there might be a chance for a little fun. Teddy eyed the red-faced, gray-haired aisle man and decided that he wasn’t very cross, and quite easy. Now that he was away from Harry’s subduing influence, his mischievous nature began to come to the surface and his bright black eyes roved speculatively about the department.
“What’s your name, boy?” asked Mr. Duffield, in placid tones.
“Teddy Burke—sir.” Teddy tardily remembered the sir, but forgot to say Theodore.
“Well, Teddy, you are to make yourself generally useful in this department. Do you think you can do that?”
“Oh, yes, sir,” was Teddy’s confident answer.
“Stay right in your department, where we can get you when we need you. No running off the floor, unless I give you permission. I don’t want a boy here who says, ‘I can’t,’ or ‘I haven’t time,’ when he’s asked to do something. I want a pleasant, willing boy. Understand?”