"I mean to do my best for it, sir." And then, as if frightened by the
boldness of his speech, he added, "I only meant to say I am going to do
my duty."

"And if you stick to that purpose as faithfully as I think you will,
success will at last crown your efforts. I will speak to Mr. Minturn of
you and he will doubtless give you a situation. Good-day."

The superintendent turned back to his business problems, and the others
in the room followed the example of their chief, disappointed at the
sudden termination of the interview.

The boy, however, seemed loth to leave. He started away, went a few
steps and paused.

Then coming back to the railing, he said, with less firmness than
formerly:

"If you, please, sir, I had rather you would not leave my case in Mr.
Minturn's hands."

"So Mr. Minturn knows you?" asked the railroad king, sharply, vexed at
this second interruption.

"He does not like me, and he would never give me a situation. I--"

"Well, that is no fault of mine. But I haven't any more time to lose
with you."

Seeing it was useless to say more, the boy made his departure, trying to