sk or a table, with one of their number more or less in charge. The
rule is that one person be always at the desk.

All right. Six office boys. Five out on errands. One at the desk. The
bell rings. The boy keeps his place. The bell rings again. The boy keeps
his place. The bell rings a third time, long and insistently, but the
youngster, with a steadfastness worthy of the boy who stood on the
burning deck, still keeps his place.

A second later an angry official bounces out and wants to know what on
earth is the matter and declares that he will report the desk to the
manager. Meanwhile one of the missing five has returned, and the
youngster who had held the place so long under fire takes the message
from the man and delivers it.

If the boy should see an opening--and most business men except those
funny little executives puffed up with their own importance are ready
enough to listen--he may explain how it happened, but if he has to enter
a shouting contest it is best to stay silent.

The law of business courtesy--no matter how far away from this a
discussion goes it always swings back--is the Golden Rule. The
subordinate who feels himself neglected by the men in positions above
him might check himself by honestly asking himself how he appears to
those beneath him. It is interesting to know that the one who complains
most is usually the one who is haughtiest when he enters into
conversation with the employees, who, he thinks, are not quite worth his
notice. He feels blighted because the president does not stop to say
"Good-morning" in the hall, but it is beneath his dignity to say
"Good-morning" to the girl who collects his mail or "Good-night" to the
janitor who comes to dust his desk when the day's work is over. The
means of attaining courtesy--and if you have it yourself you will find
it in other people--is by watching your own actions. Teach no one but
yourself. Worry about no one's behavior but your own. That is job enough
for any one.

XI

IN A DEPARTMENT STORE

Let us now see courtesy at work in a big department store.

Mr. Hopkins has taken a morning off to do a little shopping before he
goes away on his summer vacation. He wants to buy two shirts, a trunk, a
toy for his baby, and a present for his wife. He is not sure what he
wants for the wife and baby.

Mr. Hopkins does not like to shop. He remembers his last expedition. A
haberdashery had sent him a cordial letter asking him to open an
acc