[CHAPTER I]
TOM HUNTS A JOB
“Want to hire a boy?”
Mr. Cummings looked around and across the showcase at the youth who stood there.
“Want to what?” he asked.
“Hire a boy. I’m looking for a job.”
“Oh.” Mr. Cummings turned back to his task of rearranging a number of carpenter’s squares in a green box and made no other reply for a moment. The boy waited silently, watching interestedly. Finally, fixing the cover on the box and laying it on a shelf, “Ever worked in a hardware shop?” he asked.
“No, sir.”
“I didn’t suppose you had. What use would you be to me then, eh?” Mr. Cummings peered sharply at him.