vertise for is sharp agents, to
sell goods on commission among their friends. Now, do you think you
could sell L500 worth of wine and cigars and that sort of thing every
year among your friends? You'd need to do that to make L50 a year, you
know. You understand? Could you go round to your old neighbours and
crack up our goods, and book their orders and that sort of thing? I
don't think you could, myself. It strikes me you are too much of a
gentleman."

Reginald sat silent for a moment, with the colour coming and going in
his cheeks; then he looked up and said, slowly--

"I'm afraid I could not do that, sir--I didn't know you wanted that."

So saying he took up his hat and rose to go.

Mr Medlock watched him with a smile, if not of sympathy, at any rate of
approval, and when he rose motioned him back to his seat.

"Not so fast, my man; I like your spirit, and we may hit it yet."

Reginald resumed his seat with a new interest in his anxious face.

"You wouldn't suit us as a drummer--that is," said Mr Medlock, hastily
correcting himself, "as a tout--an agent; but you might suit us in
another way. We're looking out for a gentlemanly young fellow for
secretary--to superintend the concern for the directors, and be the
medium of communication between them and the agents. We want an
educated young man, and one we can depend upon. As to the work, that's
picked up in a week easily. Now, suppose--suppose when I go back to
Liverpool I were to recommend you for a post like that, what would you
say?"

Reginald was almost too overwhelmed for words; he could only stammer,--

"Oh, sir, how kind of you!"

"The directors would appoint any one I recommended," continued Mr
Medlock, looking down with satisfaction on the boy's eagerness; "you're
young, of course, but you seem to be honest, that's the great thing."

"I think I can promise that," said Reginald, proudly.

"The salary would begin at L150 a year, but we should improve it if you
turned out well. And you would, of course, occupy the Company's house
at Liverpool. We should not ask for a premium in your case, but you
would have to put L50 into the shares of the Corporation to qualify you,
and of course you would get interest on that. Now," said he, as
Reginald began to speak, "don't be in a hurry. Take your time and think
it well over. If you say `Yes,' you may consider the thing settled, and
if you say `No'--well, we shall be able to find some one else. A