P. Here William, tell Figgs to return this manuscript by express, author’s expense.
W. Yes, sir!
P. Welby’s postage bills will ruin him. William, muss it a little, so he’ll think it has been read. Be careful now. You got chewing gum between the sheets of one book and the author wrote to Mr. Greathead about it.
W. Will a few thumb prints do?
P. Goodness, no! I don’t thumb print my books.
W. Mr. Snap does.
P. Snap! The magazine and the book departments are managed differently. Turn up a corner here and there and displace a sheet occasionally so that when wrapped they will crease. Tell Figgs about that. (Boy fumbling with MSS. knocks it off table and the sheets fly in every direction. In attempting to catch MSS. he overturns the dish of water used with letter press and it rolls on floor wetting some of sheets.)
Miss. B. (Springing aside.) Good gracious, William!
P. Just like a boy! A boy’s an animal! You’ve made a pretty mess of things.
W. I’m only mussin’ it, sir. (They gather up MSS., Miss. B. wiping water from skirts.)