"Yes; but it doesn't suit me in the least," returned Richard. "To be
idle is the hardest work I can do. Have you anything in view?"
"Not a thing. I put in twelve applications last week to as many
different houses, but as yet I haven't heard from a single one."
"What do you intend to do?"
"I hardly know. I don't think it will pay to make any personal
applications."
"I'm going to try it," returned Richard, resolutely. "They can't say
any more than no, and each no will save just two cents in postage if
nothing else."
"When do you intend to start out," asked Frank, who could not help
admiring Richard's pluck.
"In about an hour. It is too early yet to catch the heads of the firms."
"Going to start at any particular place?"
"Yes."
"Where?--or perhaps you don't care to tell," added Frank hastily.
"Yes, I do," replied Richard, smiling quietly. "I am going to try the
stationer on the corner."
"Who? Martin? Why, he has such a small store I'm sure he doesn't need
help. He and his son and a boy do all the business."
"Never mind. I made up my mind to stop at every place, and his is the
first on the route; so I'll call, if only for the principle of the
thing."
"That's an idea!" cried Frank. "You are bound to have a place if there
is a single one vacant.
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