In a few minutes the purser went back to his office. Mr. Reynolds chatted a while and returned to his steamer. Roy and Willie were alone. “Roy,” said Willie, his face suddenly sober, “I don’t feel exactly right about this business. I was so happy over getting my job that I didn’t think about you at first. I came here as your guest. Now I’ve accepted a job and engaged to go to work to-morrow. That means I can’t make the trip to Galveston with you. I didn’t think before how that looks. I’ve half a notion to go back and throw up the job. I’m not treating you fair, Roy.” “You blooming old chump,” cried Roy. “You’ll do nothing of the sort. Of course, I am sorry that you are not going to make the trip with me. But that is only a pleasure deferred. You can go the first time you have a vacation. And besides, having you permanently in New York means a hundred times as much to me as having you on shipboard with me for a few days. Why, now you’ll always be here when I get back from the South. We can have several nights together after each trip. And we can talk to each other for some hours after I leave port or before I reach it on the return. I’ll say it’s bully. So don’t you worry one bit longer about me. We’ll have to-day together, anyway. Then I want you to jump in and make a reputation for yourself. And I know you’re going to do it. You’ve got it in you, and I expect soon to hear that you are having wonderful adventures.” “Yes, sharpening lead-pencils and filling the boss’s ink-well,” laughed Willie. Alas for Willie! Life was not to be so placid for him as he fancied. CHAPTER IX UNDER A CLOUD Willie’s troubles began the next morning. Long before the appointed hour, he was on hand at the Custom-house. But he found he was alone. The elevator man was there and a few persons who seemed to be employed about the building were visible, but the office in which Willie was to work was deserted. Willie did not know what to do. He did not like to venture boldly into the offices, nor was he desirous of waiting outside, at the door. So he stepped within the anteroom and sat down on the little settee. Presently one or two men entered the anteroom and brushed past him without paying any attention to him.