As he
passed a desk that stood nearest the door, a man who during the last few
minutes had remained with his head down, apparently so immersed in
the papers before him as to be quite unconscious of his surroundings,
suddenly called out, "Here, boy!"
Jimmy instantly assumed an air of respectful attention.
"A letter for Mr. Fleming," he said.
"Here!" replied the man, stretching out his hand.
He hurriedly glanced through the letter.
"Tell him there is no vacancy at present," he said shortly.
The boy came back to Cameron with cheerful politeness. The "old man's"
eye was upon him.
"There is no vacancy at present," he said briefly, and turned away as if
his attention were immediately demanded elsewhere by pressing business
of the Metropolitan Transportation & Cartage Company.
For answer, Cameron threw back the leaf of the counter that barred his
way, and started up the long room, past the staring clerks, to the desk
next the door.
"I wish to see Mr. Fleming, Sir," he said, his voice trembling slightly,
his face pale, his blue-gray eyes ablaze.
The man at the desk looked up from his work.
"I have just informed you there is no vacancy at present," he said
testily, and turned to his papers again, as if dismissing the incident.
"Will you kindly tell me if Mr.
Pages:
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178