Page:Girls of Central High on the Stage.djvu/68

58 at his desk in the corner. Bobby ran to him and whispered quickly:

"Here she is, Father. You remember what that Mrs. Brown said last night about old Closewick refusing her credit after her mother had traded there so long. And I am sure Jess is in trouble and needs help. Do wait on her, Father."

"If you say so, Bob," returned the big man, smiling down upon the girl who, he often said, "was as good as any boy." "You'll have to come into this store and share the business when you get older; and you might as well learn to judge customers now. And, if they need help"

He came out to Jess Morse immediately, smiling and bowing like the suave storekeeper he was.

"Glad to see you, Miss. What can we do for you this morning?"

"Why—why," stammered Jess, "Bobby urged me to come in; but, really, Mr. Hargrew, it seems like asking a big favor of you, for we have never traded here much."

"We are always glad to make a new connection," said the storekeeper.

"But mother—we are obliged to ask for credit"