Mr. Fletcher was good enough to laugh at this pleasantry.
“That's all right. It isn't much of a position. We can make the salary twenty-five hundred dollars for a starter. Will you try it?”
Jack got up and went to the area window, and looked out a moment upon the boxes in the dim court. Then he came back and stood by Mr. Fletcher, and put his hand on the desk.
“Yes, I'll try.”
“Good. When will you begin?”
“Now.”
“That's good. No time like now. Wait a bit, and I'll show you about the place before we go to lunch. You'll get hold of the ropes directly.”
This was Mr. Fletcher's veteran joke.
At three o'clock Mr. Fletcher closed his desk. It was time to take his train. “Tomorrow, then,” he said, “we will begin in earnest.”
“What are the business hours here?” asked Jack.