"I will do that." The day passed, and Robert, who was on the alert, began to get an insight into the business. He found that it was not very hard, and could be soon mastered. He was not as much impressed as he expected to be by the business ability of Mr. Livingston Palmer, who had claimed to be the "brains of the business." It seemed to him that Mr. Palmer was slow, and prone to make mistakes, but those were only his first impressions, which might be modified hereafter. The office closed at six. "Where do you board, Frost?" asked the senior clerk. Robert told him. "I have a room, and get my meals at restaurants." "I don't think I should like that so well." "We live on the same street. Have you any engagement this evening?" "No." "I would invite you to go to some amusement with me, but I am almost broke." "Then suppose you go to some amusement with me, Mr. Palmer?" "With pleasure," said the elder clerk, brightening up--"that is, if you don't mind the expense." "No, I can afford it." "I don't see how you can on five dollars a week." "Oh, I have an allowance besides." "You're in luck. I wish I had." Mr. Palmer selected a variety theater, and Robert purchased two orchestra seats, although he would have preferred some performance of a higher class. "Do you know why I wanted to come here?" asked Palmer in a low confidential tone. "No. Why?" "There's a girl that sings here--she's a daisy, and I have reason to think that she's sweet on me. There's her name on the bill--Alameda Churchill. When she comes out, give me your opinion of her." CHAPTER XI. MR. PALMER'S INFATUATION. In about twenty minutes Miss Churchill appeared. She was a stout young lady, weighing at least one hundred and sixty pounds. She had a high color, black hair, and a loud metallic voice. Mr. Palmer surveyed her with rapt intensity. "That's she!" he whispered. "Didn't I tell you she was a daisy?" Robert was tempted to smile. He had a very indefinite idea of what might be considered a feminine daisy, but he recognized his companion's conception of the term. Miss Churchill sang in a loud voice and with plenty of action one of the popular songs of the day. Livingston Palmer looked the picture of rapture. With his head thrown back and his eyes fastened upon his charmer, he could hardly fail to attract her attention. She paused between two of the verses, and looked at him with a smile. "Did you see?" he whispered in delight, "she smiled at me." "Yes," answered Robert, "I noticed that she did." "It looks as if she was sweet on me, don't you think so?" "Perhaps so, I don't know much about young ladies. I can't read their thoughts." "How would it do for me to write her a note?" "What could you write? You don't know her?" "But she has taken notice of me. I might ask her for an interview." "I don't feel competent to give you advice, Mr. Palmer; I am only a boy." "That is true. I--I think I will venture."