“That wasn’t clever, Mr. King. That was common sense. Sometimes I make mistakes, Mr. King. But I always do the best I know how.”
“You admit that you make mistakes? And then you come asking for a job?” And the Special Agent looked very stern.
“I guess a fellow who didn’t make mistakes sometimes wouldn’t make much of anything else,” said Willie.
“Well, you didn’t make the mistake of lying to me,” said Mr. King. “If there’s anything I hate, it’s a boy who lies.” And now his face was full of smiles.
“If you’ll give me a job,” said Willie, “I’ll engage to tell you the truth—always.”
“Mr. Sheridan has been telling me a little about your work. Now I want to know a little more about yourself. Do you smoke cigarettes?”
“No, sir.”
“Do you play craps?”
“Never played in my life.”
“Do you read dime novels? Mr. Sheridan says you don’t, but perhaps he doesn’t know.”