"Oh, no, I can't understand that at all, Mr. Wattles. Now let me ask you a question."
"What is it?"
"I heard you tell Mr. Perley that you did not expect there would be four hundred dollars in the house to-night."
"That's what I said. I shall be agreeably disappointed if there is as much as that."
"Yet the opera house will hold twelve hundred dollars."
"I see you are posted, my boy."
"I am. Now, Mr. Wattles, it is a little out of the line of an advance agent's work, but, just to show you that I have a little snap and business ability, I will guarantee to fill the opera house to its utmost capacity to-night, if you will agree to give me a chance as advance agent after that."
"Do you know what you are talking about?"
And the manager stared in renewed amazement at the youth.
"I do."