“Mighty glad to see you both again,” said Willie, shaking hands with Roy and the purser. “I’ve got the best news in the world. I’ve got a job, Roy. And what do you think it is? I’m an office boy.” And Willie laughed so heartily and good-naturedly that both his friends laughed with him.
“Congratulations!” returned Roy. “I’m glad you got a job, and better pleased still that you like it. What changed your mind about being an office boy?”
“I guess you did. Mr. Sheridan helped, too. You both told me the same thing: that the point was not so much where I started as it was to get started. I see that this is true. I’m under way now. Watch me go.” And Willie laughed happily.
“We’ll do more than watch,” said the purser. “We’ll boost. Let’s start off with a little feed to celebrate. It’s about dinner-time. I’m deucedly tired of ship’s grub. Let’s go get a bite of some landsman’s cooking—something we don’t get every day in the week. Now let me see. There’s Chinatown. Roy and I have been there. And we’ve been to Little Italy. And we’ve eaten in the Ghetto. Where can we find something that is new to both of you?”
The purser paused in thought. Then, “I know,” he said. “We’ll step into an Armenian restaurant. That will be new to you both, I’m sure. And it is the handiest place we can find. The Armenians and Syrians have located close by, in this end of New York, and we can get a first-class meal. Come on. Let’s go.”
“That will be bully!” cried Willie, with enthusiasm. “I’d like that.”
“What about you, Roy?” asked the purser.
“I’m willing to try anything once. And after my experiences with you, I know it will be worth while. You certainly have all the places spotted where they make good things to eat.”
The purser laughed. “Come on, then. Let’s go.”
The three put on their hats and left the Lycoming. They passed through the long pier shed to West Street and turned down that thoroughfare. Willie felt very proud to be walking with his two friends, for they looked really distinguished in their well-fitting, neatly kept uniforms. The street was jammed with people, and thousands more were pouring out of the great office-buildings to get their noonday meal. More than one passer-by turned to look at Willie’s nautical friends.