“I don’t know, sir.”
“Frenchman named Jacques first made them,” said Mr. Prescott.
Billy wanted very much to tell him where his knife came from; but he didn’t feel sure that office boys were supposed to have birthdays.
Then the stenographer came; and, before Billy knew it, it was noon, and he went to meet Uncle John behind the mill.
“Birthday coming on pretty well, Billy?” asked Uncle John, as they both opened their pails.
“Sure,” answered Billy, who was so hungry that he couldn’t stop to talk.
“Sorry we couldn’t celebrate,” said Uncle John. “Mustn’t give up the idea though, Billy. As you go around on errands, you’ll see a good many things. Some day we’ll piece them together. Watch for a chance and it’ll come some day.”
Billy, fast nearing the bottom of his pail, paused a moment to say, “Uncle John, were you ever an office boy?”
“Not just that,” answered Uncle John.
“There’s a lot to it,” said Billy.