As soon as Johnny entered the door the young man gave a direction to the driver, and the taxi hurried away.
President Close was conservatively glad to see Johnny.

He was a crisp-faced man, with an extremely tight-cropped gray mustache; and not a single crease in his countenance was flexible in the slightest degree.

He had an admiration amounting almost to affection for Johnny--provided the promising young man did not want money.
"Good morning," he greeted his caller.

"What can we do for you to-day ?" And in great haste he mentally reviewed the contents of credit envelope G-237.

That envelope, being devoted to Mr.Gamble, contained a very clear record; so Mr.Close came as near to smiling as those cast-iron creases would allow.
"Want to give the Fourth National as a reference," returned Johnny cheerfully.
"I see," assented Mr.Close, immediately ceasing to smile; for now approached the daily agony of life--the grudging of credit.