nvoluntary start and from under his heavy brows there
shot a keen, questioning glance. "What would you want me to do?" he
asked evenly.

"Vell--vait on de customers, and look over de stock, and buy tings ven
dey come in."

"You certainly cannot be serious, Mr. Kling. You know nothing about me.
I am an entire stranger and must continue to be. With the exception of
my landlady, who, if she knows my name, forgets it every time she comes
up for her rent, there is not a human being in New York to whom I could
apply for a reference. Are you accustomed to pick up strangers out of
the street and take them into your shops--and your homes?" he added,
smiling at Kitty, who had been following the conversation closely.

"But you is a different kind of a mans."

No answer came. The man was lost in thought.

"Ye'd better think it over, sir," said Kitty, laying a strong,
persuasive hand on his wrist. "It's near by, and ye can have your meals
early or late as ye plaze, and the work ain't hard. My Mike does the
liftin' and two big fat Dutchies helps."

"But I know nothing about the business, Mrs. Cleary--nothing about any
business, for that matter. I should only be a disappointment to Mr.
Kling. I would rather keep his friendship and look elsewhere."

Kitty relaxed her hold of his wrist. "Then ye have been lookin' for
work?" she asked. The inquiry sprang hot from her heart.

"I have not, so far, but I shall have to very soon."

She threw back her head and faced the two men. "Ye'll look no further,
Mr. O'Day. You go over to Otto's and go to work; and it will be to-night
after you gets your things stowed away. And ye'll pay him ten dollars
a week, Otto, for the first month, and more the second if he earns it,
which he will. Now are ye all satisfied, or shall I say it over?"

"One moment, please, Mrs. Cleary. If I may interrupt," he laughed, his
reserve broken through at last by the friendly interest shown by the
strangers about him, "and what will be the hours of my service?" Then,
turning to Otto: "Perhaps you, Mr. Kling, can best tell me."

"Vot you mean?"

"How early must I come in the morning, and until how late must I stay at
night?"

The dealer hesitated, then answered slowly, "In de morning at eight
o'clock, and"--but, seeing a cloud cross O'Day's face, added: "Or maybe
haf past eight vill do."

"And at night?"

"Vell--you can't tell. Sometimes it is more late as udder times--about
nine o'clock ven I have packing