"I am glad to hear that, boy. Let me see, how long have we known each other?" "Only two days." "And yet you seem like my own boy. I never had anyone belonging to me before." "You may get tired of me, Uncle Dick." "Perhaps so, but I don't believe it." "Will you write to me?" "I'm not much on letter writing, but I reckon I'll be able to scribble a few lines occasionally." Robert remained with the miner till Thursday morning, and then made his way to Mr. Gray's office. He found a tall young man with tallowy hair and freckles standing behind the counter. "What can I do for you, boy?" he asked with lofty politeness. Robert smiled. "I'm the new clerk," he said. "Didn't Mr. Gray mention me?" "I believe he did say something about hiring a boy. What's your name?" "Robert Frost." "Well, Frost, my name is Mr. Livingston Palmer." "Indeed! Are you related to Mr. Palmer who keeps the hotel?" "I--ahem! I believe we are distantly related. Do your people live in Chicago?" "No. Some distance out in the country." "Got a father and mother?" "No, a mother--and a step-father." "I sympathize with you. So have I a step-father. He drinks." "I don't think that is true of Mr. Talbot--my step-father--but if he did, I should not dislike him any more. How do you like this business?" "So-so." "Does Mr. Gray treat you well?" "Well, I can't complain. He doesn't pay me enough salary." "That is a common complaint, I suppose," said Robert, smiling. "How much are you to get?" "From Mr. Gray--five dollars." "That's what I got the first year. Now I only get ten." "That is considerably more." "Yes, but it isn't enough. Why, I am the brains of the establishment." Robert was amused. But he saw that Mr. Livingston Palmer was quite in earnest. "How about the boss?" "Oh, he's a fair business man, but he couldn't get along without me." "Then I hope he won't have to. I will take it as a favor if you will help me along. I am quite inexperienced. I never was in any business before." "Yes, I'll look after you. If Mr. Gray knew what was to his interest, he would take me into partnership." "Did you ever suggest it to him?" "Well, no, not exactly, but I've given him a delicate hint, but he never seemed to understand what I meant." Just then Peter Gray came in. He looked quite insignificant compared with either of his two clerks, but Robert soon found that he was a hustler and a good man of business. "So you are here on time?" he said pleasantly. "Yes, sir." "Where is my old friend, Marden?" "He starts this forenoon for Michigan." "So? He seems to feel a great interest in you." "I am glad to say he does." "He says you are a smart, go-ahead boy. I hope you will prove so." "I'll try, Mr. Gray." "If you try you'll succeed. Now, let me tell you a little about the business. You understand that this is a cut-rate railroad ticket office?" "Yes, sir." "You'll soon get to understand our way of doing business--that is, if you pay attention."