thing, but I
really don't concern myself with their appointment--if I may use so
important a word--or their dismissals. All those minutiae are in the
care of Mr. Malins, the manager.'

'Oh, father, don't put me off with Mr. Malins!' burst out Dick,
forgetting his character for a moment in his anxiety. 'I want you to
lend me a hand, so as to make it dead sure.'

'Well, Mr. Elliott, you're very pressing,' remarked the senior partner.
'I'll make a note of it, and see what can be done.'

'I'm very much obliged indeed,' murmured Mr. Elliott.

'May I ask your friend's name?'

'Slynn,' replied Dick.

'Christian name?'

'I never heard it,' said Dick, rubbing his forehead. 'They call him
Chippy.'

'Thank you,' said the senior partner, pencilling a note on his
engagement-pad; 'then I am to use my best efforts to find a post for
Mr. Chippy Slynn, errand-boy. Well, it's the first time I've made such
a venture; it will have, at any rate, the agreeable element of novelty.
And now I must beg you to excuse me: I fear my junior partner is
waiting for me.'

'That's all right, sir,' said Dick cheerfully. 'Uncle Jim won't mind.
He knows Chippy.' And forthwith Dick departed, quite content with the
interview.

CHAPTER XX

THE OPINIONS OF AN INSTRUCTOR

As Dick's father and uncle walked towards the docks, the former related
with much relish how Dick had gone to work to do his friend a good
turn, and the two gentlemen laughed over Dick's serious way of tackling
the question. Then Mr. Elliott began to speak soberly.

'He seems very friendly with this boy Slynn,' said Dick's lather.

'Naturally, after the splendid piece of work they did together the
other Monday,' replied the younger man.

'Oh yes, yes, of course; that, I admit, would be bound to draw them
together,' said the other. 'But do you think it is quite safe, Jim,
this mingling of boys from decent homes with gutter-sparrows?'

'Dick will come to no harm with Chippy Slynn,' replied James Elliott
quietly; 'the boy is quite brave, quite honest.'

'I don't know,' said Mr. Elliott uneasily. 'His mother was very
uncomfortable when Dick and his sister had been out one day. Ethel
brought word home that Dick and a wharf-rat had been chumming up
together. His mother spoke to Dick about it.'

'Oh yes,' said his brother, 'and Dick referred her to me, and I
explained, and put matters straight.'

'I hardly know what to think about it,' said Mr. Elliott, and