hand at this counter also; and you, young men, gather round and see
the difference when _art_, instead of mathematics, rules the world of
art. If this thing goes on, we shall have the golden age back again in
the store."

Mr. Berder, though somewhat confused, had received all his compliments
with bows and smiles. But Dennis, after his thrill of joy at having
pleased Mr. and Miss Ludolph's fastidious taste, felt himself reddening
with honest indignation that Mr. Berder should carry off all his laurels
before his face. But he resolved to say nothing, knowing that time
would right him. When Mr. Ludolph asked the young men to step forward,
he came with the others.

"That's right, Fleet," said Mr. Ludolph, again, "you can get a useful
hint, too, like enough."

"Nonsense, father," said Miss Ludolph, in a tone not so low but that
Dennis heard it; "why spoil a good sweeper and duster by putting uppish
notions in his head? He keeps the store cleaner than any man you ever
had, and I don't soil my dresses as I used to."

Dennis's color heightened a little, and his lips closed more firmly,
but he gave no other sign that he heard this limitation of his hope
and ambition. But it cut him rather deep. The best he could ever do,
then, in her view, was to keep her dresses from being soiled.

In the meantime Mr. Berder had shown great embarrassment at Mr.
Ludolph's unexpected request. After a few moments of awkward hesitation
he stammered out that he could do it better alone. The suspicion of
keen Mr. Ludolph was at once aroused and he persisted: "Oh, come, Mr.