'Well, Mr. Elliott, you're very pressing,' remarked the senior partner. 'I'll make a note of it, and see what can be done.' 'I'm very much obliged indeed,' murmured Mr. Elliott. 'May I ask your friend's name?' 'Slynn,' replied Dick. 'Christian name?' 'I never heard it,' said Dick, rubbing his forehead. 'They call him Chippy.' 'Thank you,' said the senior partner, pencilling a note on his engagement-pad; 'then I am to use my best efforts to find a post for Mr. Chippy Slynn, errand-boy. Well, it's the first time I've made such a venture; it will have, at any rate, the agreeable element of novelty. And now I must beg you to excuse me: I fear my junior partner is waiting for me.' 'That's all right, sir,' said Dick cheerfully. 'Uncle Jim won't mind. He knows Chippy.' And forthwith Dick departed, quite content with the interview. CHAPTER XX THE OPINIONS OF AN INSTRUCTOR As Dick's father and uncle walked towards the docks, the former related with much relish how Dick had gone to work to do his friend a good turn, and the two gentlemen laughed over Dick's serious way of tackling the question. Then Mr. Elliott began to speak soberly. 'He seems very friendly with this boy Slynn,' said Dick's lather. 'Naturally, after the splendid piece of work they did together the other Monday,' replied the younger man. 'Oh yes, yes, of course; that, I admit, would be bound to draw them together,' said the other. 'But do you think it is quite safe, Jim, this mingling of boys from decent homes with gutter-sparrows?' 'Dick will come to no harm with Chippy Slynn,' replied James Elliott quietly; 'the boy is quite brave, quite honest.' 'I don't know,' said Mr. Elliott uneasily. 'His mother was very uncomfortable when Dick and his sister had been out one day. Ethel brought word home that Dick and a wharf-rat had been chumming up together. His mother spoke to Dick about it.' 'Oh yes,' said his brother, 'and Dick referred her to me, and I explained, and put matters straight.' 'I hardly know what to think about it,' said Mr. Elliott, and his tone was still uneasy. 'Look here, Richard,' said his brother, 'the feelings which I know are in your mind are the feelings which make such an immense gulf between class and class. Now, confess that you are not quite comfortable because Dick has a deep regard for a wharf-rat out of Skinner's Hole.' 'I confess it,' said Mr. Elliott frankly.