PERPLEXITY He went out as usual after breakfast, and then walked leisurely downtown.

He proposed to go to the shop of the Great Pekin Tea Company and resign his agency.

He was on the watch during his walk for any opportunities to repair his unlucky loss: At one place he saw a notice: "BOY WANTED." Though he felt sure the compensation would not be sufficient to allow of his accepting it, he thought it would do no harm to make inquiry, and accordingly entered.
It was an extensive retail store, where a large number of clerks were employed.
"Is a boy wanted here ?" asked Frank of the nearest salesman.
"Yes.

You may inquire at the desk." He pointed to a desk some distance back, and Frank went up to it.
"You advertise for a boy," he said to a tall, stout man, who chanced to be the proprietor.

"Is the place filled." "No," was the answer; "but I don't think it would suit you." "Do you think I would not be competent, sir ?" "No, that is not the difficulty.