and were walking toward Broadway. It
was necessary for Frank to go to the tea store, and he took leave of his
stepfather and Mark, again wishing them a pleasant voyage.

"I hate that boy!" said Mark, as they walked away.

"You should not indulge in any such disagreeable feelings, Mark," said
his father.

"Don't you hate him?"

"Certainly not."

"One would think by your soft manner that you loved him," said Mark, who
was not noted for the respect with which he treated his father.

"Really, Mark, I am shocked by your strange words."

"What made you invite him to go to Europe with us?"

"I knew he would not go."

"He might have accepted, and then we should have been in a pretty
pickle."

"Mark," said his father, rather irritated, "will you be kind enough to
leave me to manage my own affairs? I believe I have succeeded pretty
well so far."

"Yes, you have," Mark admitted. "All the same, we'd better keep clear of
Frank till we get safely off on the steamer."

CHAPTER XXIV

A DISCOURAGING DAY

The next day was indeed a trying one and one of many experiences for
Frank.

The first lady did not buy any tea, to be sure, but seemed sorry that
she was already supplied, and questioned Frank as to what success he was
meeting with.

When twelve o'clock came, Frank had not sold a single pound. Even if he
earned nothing however, he had an appetite and must buy lunch.

He entered a small oyster saloon, and went up to the proprietor.

"Can I sell you some tea?" he asked.

"No, I guess not. I get my tea in Harlem."

"Take a couple of pounds," said Frank, "and I will take part of the pay
in lunch."

"That is business," said the other. "Let me look at your tea."

Frank showed him his samples.

"Who employs you?'

"The Great Pekin Tea Company."

"They have a good name. Yes, I will try a couple of pounds at fifty
cents."

This, of course, came to a dollar, and Frank's profit on the sale
amounted to twenty cents. This was precisely the cost of the lunch which
he ordered, so that he felt well satisfied with the arrangement.

He left the saloon in better spirits, and resumed his travels from house
to house.

I am sorry to say, however, that though he certainly exerted himself to
the utmost in the interests of the Great Pekin Tea Company and his own,
he did not sell another pound of tea that day.

About three o'clock he got on board a Third Avenue horse car, bound
downtown and sat quietly down in a