Merrett's is on the first-floor." "Be sure you wait outside for me," said I, preparing to dart over.
"Yes," said he.

"But, Fred, promise me one thing." "What ?" said I, hurriedly.
"Not to show off badly because I'm after the place too." Old Jack! He gave me credit, I fear, for a good deal more nobleness than I had a right to claim.
"All serene," said I, "if you'll promise the same." "Yes," said he.

"Mind, honour bright, Fred." And so we parted, he to pace up and down the street for a long quarter of an hour, and I to present myself before the awful presence of Messrs.
Merrett, Barnacle, and Company.
If all the youths who had flocked with me from the station in the direction of Hawk Street had been bound (as my fears had suggested), for this place, they would have found themselves rather cramped for room by the time they were all assembled; for the first-floor offices which I entered were decidedly limited in their capacity.

I, who had been expecting at least a place capable of holding several scores of clerks, was somewhat taken aback to find myself in a counting-house which accommodated only half a score, and even that at rather close quarters.
In fact, I was so much taken aback that, although I had seen the name plainly inscribed on the door, I was constrained to inquire on entering, "Is this Messrs.

Merrett, Barnacle, and Company's office, please ?" "Yes," said one of the clerks, shortly, "what about it ?" "Oh, if you please," I began, "I've come to--that is I've--" "Come, out with it, can't you ?" said the clerk.
"It's the situation," said I, feeling very uncomfortable.
"Well, what about it ?" said the clerk, who, evidently cheered by the smiles of his fellow-clerks, thought it a good joke to browbeat a poor green country boy.
"Only I've come after it," faltered I.
"Have you, though?
And who told you to do that, I'd like to know ?" "My uncle--that is I had a letter--" but here a general laugh interrupted my confession, and I felt very foolish indeed.
"So you've got an uncle, have you?
Do you ever lend him your gold watch ?" This witticism was lost on me.