"Your compensation, if you are successful, would be considerably greater than you are now paid. How much, will depend upon your success."
"I should be quite content with that arrangement, sir."
"We shall start you out probably within a week. One of our salesmen is sick, and we shall put you on his route. You will go to Cleveland and intermediate places. You will receive your instructions in due time."
"Thank you, sir."
Scott left the office much elated. He knew that there was no drummer employed by the firm less than twenty-three years of age, while he was barely eighteen. He resolved to succeed if success were possible, for he felt that this would give him an important position and an excellent income.
"How fortunate I did not stay with Cousin Ezra," he thought. "If I had probably I should not be receiving more than six dollars a week now."
Scott, as has already been said, boarded on Lexington Avenue. He occupied a small room, and paid but five dollars a week, but those who occupied the larger rooms paid in proportion to the accommodation enjoyed.
In the room just opposite to his lived a man of about forty, whom Scott had met more than once on the stairs but did not feel very well acquainted with.
Just after supper he was preparing to go out, when there was a knock at the door.
Opening it, he found that the caller was his opposite neighbor. He was looking pale and depressed.