And the head clerk, who was also the head wit, took a peek at him coming, and very politely said, [pg 174] "Pray be seated?" And, also very politely, "From whence came you and what willst thou?"
The chuckling heads bobbed above the rows of desks. The head clerk himself had to gaze window-ward to smother his smile.
"Gramercy, kind sir—"
"Gramercy? Eh, what? Gramercy?"
"Gramercy Park—you know where Gramercy Park is? Or didn't you ask me where I came from?"
"Oh-h-Oh-h, yes."
"Of course, and I'm after a berth as pump-man on your oil ship sailing to-day for the Gulf."
"And what, may I ask, do you know of our class of ships?"
"Only what I've heard—most modern oil-tankers afloat, and I'd like to try one out—and sail the Gulf again, if you'll give me the chance."
"M-m—what are your qualifications?"