it can make much difference if I'm here a
little before time, 'cause then I'll get more done, don't you see?"

"And you were figuring on that same thing when you stayed here until
eight o'clock last night, eh?"

"No, sir; I stayed 'cause I wasn't through washin' all the windows on
the second floor, an' didn't want to leave the job half done."

"Well, in the future you'd better go home when the clock strikes six,
the same as others do. What task have they set for you this morning?"

"Nothing as yet, sir."

"That's because you did your work too well yesterday. I suppose they
allowed you had enough to last through the balance of this day."

"It would be a pretty poor kind of a boy who couldn't do more'n wash
that many windows in a day an' a half," Seth replied laughingly,
fancying that this man's gruff manner was no indication of bad temper,
but rather the reverse.

"They tell me you're counting on being a fireman one of these days?"

"Yes, sir," Seth replied promptly and decisively.

"You seem to be pretty certain of it."

"So I am, sir, 'cause I'll get there after a time if I work hard."

"You will for a fact, my son, if you believe it as firmly as you seem
to. How much have you seen of the building so far?"

"I've only been in the room where I was workin' yesterday."

"Come up into the gymnasium with me. I'm running things in that quarter,
an' it might be we can work you in with better profit there, than at
window-washing."

It was as if Seth's heart gave a great bound just then, for in the
gymnasium was begun the first of the fireman's lessons, and if he should
be so fortunate as to be set at work there it seemed that advancement
must necessarily be rapid.

Even though he had had less reason of wishing to be occupied in this
portion of the building, he could not but have been delighted when he
entered the well-appointed place, and he gazed around in what was very
like an ecstasy of joy until suddenly aroused by the voice of this new
acquaintance.

"Do you think you could keep things in proper shape here? There's plenty
of work to be done, and at present we are getting none of the best."

"I'd like to have a chance to try, sir."

"Very well; I'll see to the red tape of the business down-stairs and in
the meanwhile do you set about doing whatever you think is necessary. If
'Lish Davis wasn't mistaken, I'll see to it you get all the instruction
in this portion of the building that you can stagger und