“Yes, he knows it, but he thinks you have qualities that will enable you to make a success.”
After hurried preparations Mr. Brooke left St. Louis, and the same day Gerald moved to a plain, but cheerful boarding-house not far from the store where he was to be employed.
He was at first occupied as stock clerk, and soon familiarized himself with his duties. Three months later he had a summons from Mr. Sandford, who received him in his office. There were about a hundred clerks in the establishment, who got their orders in general from the heads of the departments, and seldom were admitted to interviews with their employer.
Gerald feared that he might have made some mistake and was to receive a reprimand, but the pleasant expression on Mr. Sandford’s face relieved him from apprehension at once.
“Sit down, Gerald,” said the merchant with a wave of the hand.
“Thank you, sir.”
“How long have you been in my employ?”
“Three months to-day, sir.”
“You are stock clerk?”
“Yes, sir.”