"Stop a bit, my boy. I don't understand that remark of yours. What
bargain are you going to make with a gentleman?"
The tone of authority, together with the disturbed face of one clerk
and the quite evident amusement of the others, suddenly enlightened
Theodore. He knew instinctively that this man was master here and in a
few quick sentences he told what had happened.
The gentleman listened in silence, but his keen, dark eyes took note
of the flushed face of one clerk and the amused smiles of his
companions.
"Is this boy's story true, Mr. Hammond?" he asked, sternly.
Mr. Hammond could not deny it "It was only a joke, sir," he said,
uneasily.
"A joke, was it?" responded his employer. "I am not fond of such
jokes." Then he turned again to the boy and inquired, "How much is due
you for cleaning the signs?"
"I don't know. I'm just starting in in this business, an' I'm not sure
what I ought to charge. Can you tell me, sir?"
The gentleman smiled down into the young face lifted so frankly to
his.
"Why, no," he answered, gravely, but with a twinkle in his eyes. "I
believe our janitor usually attends to the signs."
"Guess he don't attend to 'em very well, for they were awful dirty,"
remarked the boy. "Took 'me 'most an hour to shine 'em up. Did you
notice 'em, sir, as you came in?"
"No, I did not.
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