ng his tongue in
his cheek.

"Certainly not, my dear fellow," said the other, winking.

"I think you were," said Robert firmly. "Do you see anything to laugh at
in me?"

"Well, to tell the truth," said the first boy, "we were wondering
whether you import your clothes from Paris or London."

"Oh, that's it," said Robert good-humoredly, for he was aware that his
clothes were of strange cut. "My clothes were made in the country and I
don't think much of them myself. If you'd tell me where I can get some
better ones I will buy a suit."

The boys were not bad-hearted and were won over by Robert's good humor.

"You're a good fellow," said the first speaker, "and I am sorry I was
rude enough to laugh at you. There is a store where I think you can find
what you want."

He pointed to a clothing store. In front of which was a good display of
ready-made clothing.

"Thank you," said Robert.

He entered and the boys walked on.

If Robert had been better dressed he would have received immediate
attention. As it was, he looked like a poor boy in want of work and not
at all like a customer.

So, at all events, decided a dapper-looking clerk whose attention was
drawn to the new arrival.

"Well, boy, what do you want?" he demanded roughly, approaching Robert.

"Civil treatment to begin with," answered Robert with spirit.

"If you've come for a place, we don't want any scarecrows here."

It appears that the firm had advertised for an errand boy that very
morning, and it was naturally supposed that Robert was an applicant.

"Are you the owner of this shop?" asked Robert coolly.

"No," answered the clerk, lowering his tone a little.

"I thought so. I'll tell my business to somebody else."

"You'd better not put on airs!" said the clerk angrily.

"You are the one who is putting on airs," retorted Robert.

"What's the matter here?" asked a portly gentleman, walking up to the
scene of the altercation.

"I was telling this boy that he would not do for the place," answered
the clerk.

"I believe, Mr. Turner, that you are not commissioned to make a
selection," said the gentleman.

And Turner retired, discomfited.

"So you want a place?" he said inquiringly to Robert.

"No, sir, I don't."

"Mr. Turner said you did."

"I never told him so."

"Here, Turner," said the gentleman. "Why did you tell me this boy wanted
a place?"

"I supposed he did. He looked like it, sir."

"I don't want a place. I want to buy a