I have work here until six and an engagement, which is important, until nine.

You are open as late as that ?" "Oh, I am always open, or can be," Kelsey answered.

"What would I shut up shop for except to keep out the rats--human and otherwise?
I live in my place, and, as I live alone, nobody ever disturbs me--nobody I want to see--and I do want you, and want you very much.

Well, then, come at nine, and if the blinds are up, ring the bell." And so the acquaintance began.
And yet, interesting as he found these diversions with his neighbors, there were moments when, despite his determination to be cheerful and to add his quota to the general fund of good-fellowship, he had to summon all his courage to prevent his spirit sinking to its lowest ebb.

It was then he would turn to the thing that lay nearest to hand, his work--work often so irksome to him that, but for his sense both of obligation and of justice to his employer and his love for Masie, he would have abandoned it altogether.
A possible relief came when through the protests of a customer he had begun to realize the clearer Kling's deficiencies and had, in consequence, cast about for some plan of helping him to do a larger and more remunerative business.
Several ways by which this could be accomplished were outlined in his mind.