ered in an ecstasy of expectant
delight. Cameron walked nonchalantly to Mr. Bates' desk, his overcoat on
his arm, his cap in his hand.

"Good morning, Sir," he said.

Mr. Bates finished writing a sentence, looked up, and nodded a brief
good morning.

"We deposit our street attire on the hooks behind the door, yonder!" he
said with emphatic politeness, pointing across the room.

Cameron flushed, as in passing his desk he observed the pleased smile on
the lanky boy's sallow face.

"You evidently were not aware of the hours of this office," continued
Mr. Bates when Cameron had returned. "We open at eight o'clock."

"Oh!" said Cameron, carelessly. "Eight? Yes, I thought it was eight! Ah!
I see! I believe I am five minutes late! But I suppose I shall catch up
before the day is over!"

"Mr. Cameron," replied Mr. Bates earnestly, "if you should work for
twenty years for the Metropolitan Transportation & Cartage Company,
never will you catch up those five minutes; every minute of your office
hours is pledged to the company, and every minute has its own proper
work. Your desk is the one next Mr. Jacobs, yonder. Your work is waiting
you there. It is quite simple, the entry of freight receipts upon
the ledger. If you wish further instructions, apply to me here--you
understand?"

"I think so!" replied Cameron. "I shall do my best to--"

"Very well! That is all!" replied Mr. Bates, plunging his head again
into his papers.

The office staff sank back to work with every expression of
disappointment. A moment later, however, their hopes revived.

"Oh! Mr. Cameron!" called out Mr. Bates. Mr. Cameron returned to his
desk. "If you should chance to be late again, never mind going to your
desk; just come here for your cheque."

Mr. Bates' tone was kindly, even considerate, as if he were anxious to
save his clerk unnecessary inconvenience.

"I beg your pardon!" stammered Cameron, astonished.

"That is all!" replied Mr. Bates, his nose once more in his papers.

Cameron stood hesitating. His eye fell upon the boy, Jimmy, whose face
expressed keenest joy.

"Do you mean, Sir, that if I am late you dismiss me forthwith?"

"What?" Mr. Bates' tone was so fiercely explosive that it appeared to
throw up his head with a violent motion.

Cameron repeated his question.

"Mr. Cameron, my time is valuable; so is yours. I thought that I spoke
quite distinctly. Apparently I did not. Let me repeat: In case you
should inadvertently be