to his question--"he lives
upstairs on the fourth floor. Room on the right."

Paul plodded his way upstairs, and found the room without difficulty.

On knocking, the door was opened by Mrs. Barry, who looked at him
inquiringly.

"Does George Barry live here?" asked Paul.

"Yes. Are you the one he left in charge of his business?"

Paul answered in the affirmative, adding, "How is he?"

"He seems quite feverish. I am afraid he is going to have a fever. It's
fortunate he came home. He was not able to attend to his business."

"Can I see him?"

"Come in," said Mrs. Barry.

The room was covered with a worn carpet, but looked neat and
comfortable. There was a cheap sewing-machine in one corner, and some
plain furniture. There was a bedroom opening out of this room, and here
it was that George Barry lay upon the bed.

"Is that Paul Hoffman, mother?" was heard from the bedroom.

"Yes," said Paul, answering for himself.

"Go in, if you like," said Mrs. Barry. "My son wishes to see you.

"How do you feel now, George?" asked Paul.

"Not very well, Paul. I didn't give up a minute too soon. I think I am
going to have a fever."

"That is not comfortable," said Paul. "Still, you have your mother to
take care of you."

"I don't know how I should get along without her. Can you look after my
business as long as I am sick?"

"Yes; I have nothing else to do."

"Then that is off my mind. By the way, how many ties did you sell this
afternoon?"

"Fifteen."

"What!" demanded Barry, in surprise. "You sold fifteen?"

"Yes."

"Why, I never sold so many as that in an afternoon."

"Didn't you?" said Paul, gratified. "Then you think I did well?"

"Splendidly. How did you do it?"

"You see, there was a young man from the country that I persuaded to buy
six, as he could not get them so cheap at home. That was my first sale,
and it encouraged me."

"I didn't think you'd sell more than six in the whole afternoon."

"Nor did I, when I started; but I determined to do my best. I don't
expect to do as well every day."

"No, of course not. I've been in the business more than a year; and I
know what it is. Some days are very dull."

"I've got the money for you. The fifteen ties came to three dollars and
seventy-five cents. I keep one-fourth of this as my commission. That
leaves two dollars and eighty-two cents."

"Quite correct. However, you needn't give me the money. You may need to
change a bill, or else lose a sale.