“You are more than two hours late with it. I wanted it to wear this evening, and I am much disappointed.” “I brought it as soon as it was finished. I think there was more work on it than my mother thought.” “She should learn to calculate better then, and not disappoint her customers. You may lay it on the table there, and tell her I am displeased that it is late.” “She asked me to bring back the money for it,” said Tom boldly, determined not to be awed by the airs of this society matron. “I gave the butler the bill.” “Yes, I have it; but it is not convenient for me to pay it now.” “My mother particularly wished it, Mrs. Leeth.” “Probably, but I have no change in the house.” “I can take a check,” said Tom. “My husband is at his office downtown, and he will not be home until late. I will send your mother a check to-morrow.” “If you will allow me, I will go down to your husband’s office,” suggested the boy. “You can write him a note, authorizing him to give me a check for the bill. Or you can telephone him,” he added, seeing an instrument in the rear of the hall. The woman seemed rather annoyed at Tom’s suggestion, but she had no good excuse ready. Rather reluctantly, therefore, she telephoned to her husband at his office, and told him a boy would presently call on him with a bill, for which she requested Mr. Leeth to make out a check. “Thank you,” said Tom, when Mrs. Leeth had given him the business address of her husband. “I don’t believe I shall have your mother do any more work for me,” said the handsomely-dressed woman haughtily. “She disappointed me so this evening, by not having my waist here on time.” Tom said nothing, but he rather thought his mother would not care to work for a customer who was so exacting, and so careless about pay. Tom was soon at the big office building where Mr. Leeth had a suite of rooms. Though it was nine o’clock there were lights in several of the windows, for, it appeared, some of the tenants were working overtime. Mr. Leeth was agent for a big manufacturing concern. Tom had to climb several flights of stairs to Mr. Leeth’s office. He found that gentleman in, and soon had received a check, which he knew would please his mother. “Just receipt the bill,” requested Mr. Leeth. While Tom was signing his name to the receipt for the money, the office door opened, and some one came in. The boy did not look up to see who it was, but he heard Mr. Leeth exclaim: “Ah, come right in. I’ve been waiting for you. Did you bring the papers and the cash?” “Yes, but I had a hard time getting the money. The old doctor is getting rather suspicious of late. I trusted his faulty memory----” The speaker paused suddenly, evidently in response to a warning gesture from Mr. Leeth, for the newcomer had not observed Tom, who was standing at a desk behind the door.