"Well," said Al, with a sigh, "I don't know that I have any reason to be ashamed of my business."
"I trust not, my dear young friend—I most sincerely trust that you have not."
"I am connected with Wattles' New York Comedy Company."
Dr. Ferguson gasped for breath.
"You are an actor—at your age?" he cried.
Al laughed, a little sarcastically, it is to be feared.
"It isn't quite as bad as that," he said.
"Ah!"
"I am only the advance agent."
"And what, may I ask, is an advance agent?"