"Then I don't think you can see him," said the clerk, judging that a boy's business couldn't be very important.
"If you will be kind enough to carry in my name," said Paul, "Mr. Preston will decide that."
Paul happened to have in his pocket a business card of the firm from which he bought the silk used in making up his neckties. He wrote on the back his name, PAUL HOFFMAN, and presented it to the clerk.
The latter smiled a little superciliously, evidently thinking it rather a joke that a boy of Paul's age should think himself entitled to an interview with Mr. Preston during business hours, and on business of his own. However, he took the card and approached the office.
"There's a boy outside wishes to see you, Mr. Preston," he said.
"From whom does he come?" asked his employer, a portly, pleasant-looking gentleman.
"On business of his own, he says. Here is his card."
"Oh, to be sure. Paul Hoffman!" repeated Mr. Preston, glancing at the card. "Tell him to come in."
"I wonder what business he can have with Mr. Preston," thought the clerk, considerably surprised.
"You can go in," he said on his return.