The prospective employer would unfold his ideals of the employee. "I want a smart, willing young man, thoroughly willing--who won't object to take trouble. I don't want a slacker, the sort of fellow who has to be pushed up to his work and held there. I've got no use for him." At the back of Mr. Polly's mind, and quite beyond his control, the insubordinate phrasemaker would be proffering such combinations as "Chubby Chops," or "Chubby Charmer," as suitable for the gentleman, very much as a hat salesman proffers hats. "I don't think you'd find much slackness about _me_, sir," said Mr. Polly brightly, trying to disregard his deeper self. "I want a young man who means getting on." "Exactly, sir. Excelsior." "I beg your pardon?" "I said excelsior, sir. It's a sort of motto of mine. From Longfellow. Would you want me to serve through?" The chubby gentleman explained and reverted to his ideals, with a faint air of suspicion. "Do _you_ mean getting on?" he asked. "I hope so, sir," said Mr. Polly. "Get on or get out, eh?" Mr. Polly made a rapturous noise, nodded appreciation, and said indistinctly--"_Quite_ my style." "Some of my people have been with me twenty years," said the employer. "My Manchester buyer came to me as a boy of twelve. You're a Christian?" "Church of England," said Mr. Polly. "H'm," said the employer a little checked. "For good all round business work I should have preferred a Baptist. Still--" He studied Mr. Polly's tie, which was severely neat and businesslike, as became an aspiring outfitter. Mr. Polly's conception of his own pose and expression was rendered by that uncontrollable phrasemonger at the back as "Obsequies Deference." "I am inclined," said the prospective employer in a conclusive manner, "to look up your reference." Mr. Polly stood up abruptly. "Thank you," said the employer and dismissed him. "Chump chops! How about chump chops?" said the phrasemonger with an air of inspiration. "I hope then to hear from you, sir," said Mr. Polly in his best salesman manner. "If everything is satisfactory," said the prospective employer. II