Page:Lynch Williams--The stolen story and other newspaper stories.djvu/259

 The reporter, bowing in his suave Southern way, respectfully asked to see the head of the firm, the young man's father.

"Engaged at present," was the reply. "What do you want?"

"I'll wait, if I may make so bold," said Billy. "I represent him," said the other, leaning back in his chair. "What is it?"

"Ah, I see," said Billy.

"What do you want—he has nothing to say to reporters anyway."

"Possibly; but if you don't mind I'd rather have his word for that."

"What's that! I tell you I represent him."

"Not very well, however."

"What do you mean!"

"He has better manners, for instance."

"See here"

—"And a softer voice—and—really? Oh, please, don't do so much to me as all that. You see it would not do, really now, for me to leave, because your father has not yet talked to me. I think you'll find that he will come out and talk to me in a mo-