Percy, who was a tall, thin, good-looking Englishman, one of the clerks of the British & North American Fire Insurance Company, with offices on the third floor of the building, gave a howl of pain and then hopped about the floor like a monkey on a hot stove. “What do you mean, fellow, squeezing my--aw--hand in this mannah? Don’t you know any bettah?” Percy was very angry indeed. “What do you want me to do? Give you one of those pumphandle shakes? That isn’t my style, George Augustus,” snickered Jack. “I wish you would keep your distance, boy,” said Percy, resentfully. “I don’t wish to be bothered by you, don’t you know. You’re only the office boy. Really, Miss Price,” he said stooping to pick up the violets he had dropped, “these American boys are deuced annoying, don’t you know. These flowers are for you. Hot-house specials, from Hutchins’,” mentioning a prominent florist on Broadway. “Gee!” exclaimed Jack, who had been watching his chance to chip in again, “I’m sorry to call you a liar, George Augustus, but you bought ’em off that dago down stairs. That’s where these came from, and if there’s any difference between ’em I’d like you to point it out. Same trade-mark on each,” and he pointed to the bit of red cord with which each bunch was secured. “One bunch is quite enough for me,” said Millie, with a laugh. “If you’d come first, Mr. Chamberlain, why, I might have accepted yours.” “Really----” began Percy. “Come, George Augustus, you’d better sneak. Miss Price has several letters to copy, and she wants to get home some time this afternoon, don’t you know,” mimicking the Englishman. “Won’t you accept them, Miss Price,” persisted Percy, after an indignant look at Hazard. “You will have to excuse me, Mr. Chamberlain,” said Millie, turning to her machine and commencing to click off her notes, thereby ignoring the dudish visitor. “Good-bye, George Augustus,” cried Jack, as the disappointed Englishman started slowly for the door. “Come in again when you haven’t so long to stay.” “You’re an insulting fellow. I don’t wish you to notice me again,” angrily retorted the insurance clerk just as he was passing out of the doorway. “It was very kind of you to bring me those violets,” said Millie to Jack as the door closed. “It’s my favorite flower.” “You see, I’m getting reckless now; I’ve money to burn,” laughed the boy. “Next thing you know, I’ll be asking you to marry me.” “You silly boy!” exclaimed Millie, blushing furiously as Jack ran away. CHAPTER XIII. SILAS HOCKINS, FROM AVALANCH, N. J. A few days after that, as Jack was coming out of the Post Office, he was stopped by a sun-burned, countrified-looking man, who said: “Waal, sonny, kin yeou tell me where Nassau Street is?” “Sure; come right along with me and I’ll steer you into it,” replied the boy, good-naturedly.