"You'll see him to-night, mother. He's coming round this evening to let
me know how he's got along, and hand over the money he's taken."

"You'd better be quiet now, George, and go to sleep, if you can. I'll
make you some warm tea. I think it'll do you good."

Meanwhile Paul assumed charge of George Barry's business. He was sorry
his friend was sick, but he congratulated himself on getting into
business so soon.

"It's more respectable than selling prize packages," thought Paul. "I
wish I had a stand of my own."

He was still a street merchant, but among street merchants there are
grades as well as among merchants whose claim to higher respectability
rests upon having rent to pay. Paul felt that it was almost like having
a shop of his own. He had always looked up to George Barry as standing
higher than himself in a business way, and he felt that even if his
earnings should not be as great, that it was a step upward to have sole
charge of his stand, if only for a day or two.

Paul's ambition was aroused. It was for his interest to make as large
sales as possible. Besides, he thought he would like to prove to
George Barry that he had made a good selection in appointing him his
substitute.

Now, if the truth must be told, George Barry himself was not possessed
of superior business ability. He was lacking in energy and push. He
could sell neckties to those who asked for them, but had no particular
talent for attracting trade. He would have been a fair clerk, but was
never likely to rise above a very moderate success. Paul was quite
different. He was quick, enterprising, and smart. He was a boy likely to
push his way to success unless circumstances were very much against him.

"I'd like to sell more than George Barry," he said to himself. "I don't
know if I can, but I'm going to try."

The day was half over, and probably the most profitable, so far as
business was concerned. Paul had only four or five hours left.

"Let me see," he said to himself. "I ought to sell six neckties to come
up to the average of half a day's sale. I wonder whether I can do it."

As his soliloquy ended, his quick eye detected a young man glancing
at his stock, and he observed that he paused irresolutely, as if half
inclined to purchase.

"Can't I sell you a necktie to-day?" asked Paul, promptly.

"I don't know," said the other. "What do you charge?"

"You can have your choice for twenty-five cents. That is cheap, isn't
it?"

"Yes, t