“Thank you, sir,” replied Dick, “but, for the present, I prefer to remain here.”
“But,” protested Mr. Willing, “surely you have not such a remunerative place here that makes you so anxious to stay?”
“No, sir. I am only an office boy in a big newspaper office, but some of these days, sir, I hope to climb. Within the year I expect to be on the reportorial staff of the Star.”
“Well, you know your own mind best. However, I should be pleased to have you go with us.”
“And I should be pleased to go, sir.”
“Perhaps he will come and spend Christmas with us,” suggested Shirley.
“I certainly shall, if it is possible,” replied the lad. “But you know, Miss Willing, a newspaper man works holidays as well as others. However, it may be that I can get off.”
“You must get away,” declared Shirley. “We shall expect you.”
“I will do my best,” the lad promised.
“Well,” said Mr. Willing, “we shall have to be getting down toward the station. It is getting late.”