hinking of some of the experiences my
friends have had. Tell us all about it."

"Eleanor and I would be the last ones to discourage you," Alice added.
"I think it's fine that you have gotten as far as this."

Allen's drooping spirits revived at once, and he beamed at Alice
gratefully.

"I've simply got to get more experience," he said, emphatically. "Mr.
Gorham told me that most of the best companies have no time to develop
their own material, and I've made up my mind definitely that I'm going
to do my own developing right now; and when I've polished up the
material until I can see my face in it, I'll apply again to Mr.
President, and say, 'Here I am, all developed--now will you give me a
job?'"

"Splendid !" cried Alice, clapping her hands. "Now tell us what you've
found. Where is the book-shop?"

"It isn't in a book-shop at all," Allen replied, his assurance again
beginning to wane. "It's just what Mrs. Gorham called it."

"Oh," the girl remarked--"going around from house to house?"

Allen nodded his head. "But think of the experience I'll get, Alice," he
insisted. "The directions say, 'If the man of the house is at home make
some excuse and call again'; but with my usual luck he's sure to see me
first, and then I'll go out on three legs. I suspect the material will
get polished all right. But the talk that man gave me to learn is
certainly straight from Persuasionville. Honestly, I'm tempted to buy a
set of the books myself--only tempted, mind you; and so far I've
resisted. I'd like mighty well to try it on you before I take any
chances."

Alice and Mrs. Gorham exchanged glances as Allen busied himself untying
a small package he had brought with him. In the girl's face there was
deep concern, but Eleanor found it difficult to conceal her amusement.

"There!" said Allen, triumphantly producing a thin booklet. "Here is the
brochure, as they call it, and here are the rules of the game. You take
the instructions, Mrs. Gorham, and correct me if I go wrong, and I'll
try to sell a set to Alice."

The boy endeavored to cover his consciousness with a broad grin.

"Isn't this great!" he asked.

"How did you find this chance?" Alice queried, still a little doubtful
as she seated herself in preparation for the experiment.

"Saw an advertisement in the _Star_--' Agents make one hundred to five
hundred dollars a week,' it said, and from what the man at the office
tells me there isn't any chance to lose--except, per