第12章

Talk like that is worth 100 a minute to any firm.I'll put my Governor on to him.When that chap opened his sample case he wouldn't talk weather and politics, and then sidle up to business.Not much! He'd give them Brown's Axle Oil, Brown's Baking Powder, or anything else of Brown's he was showing, till his customer would see nothing but Brown's Axle Oil and Brown's Baking Powder all over his shop, and he'd be reaching for the whole output.One thing! You bet!"A general laugh of approval followed Brown's speech.

"That's true enough," said Lloyd in a tone of calm superiority, "but there is other work to do and other places to do it in.""The Park Church, for instance, eh, Lloyd?" suggested the voice slyly.

"Why not?" answered Lloyd."The centres must be manned--that's a safe principle in strategy.""Certainly," cried another voice ironically."Our neglected masses!""Yes, and neglected classes, too." Lloyd's tone was earnest and sincere.

"I agree with you, Lloyd," said The Don emphatically, "if any fellows need to be, ah--well--shaken up, you know, it's us poor devils who attend the city churches.For my part, I would like to see you in the Park Church, and I promise you I would go regularly."On all sides there was frank approval of The Don's position, while Lloyd, flushed and laughing, lightly replied: "Oh, there won't be any trouble, I fancy, in getting a man for the Park Church.""Not in the least, I assure you," said Brown."Brown Bros., Commission Merchants, etc., etc., will undertake to supply men in half-dozen lots willing for a consideration to offer themselves upon the altar of Park Church.""There's more than willingness necessary, unfortunately, and besides, lots of men would be willing to go West," answered Lloyd.

"Yes, and lots of men deucedly unwilling, too, from what your old man there says, not to speak of the young lady, who apparently must also be willing.Oh! I say, wasn't that a great yarn; and if ever that chap gets a look at himself from that particular point.of view, that 'll be the time to buy him.""Brown, my boy," said The Don solemnly, "your limitations are obvious.The commercial in you has run to seed.""That may be, but I can spot a man that knows how to show his goods, and when that old gentleman set forth the West in those high lights of his, I tell you what, I almost wished I was a Theologue.""What a pity you are not," replied The Don thoughtfully, "for apparently they want strong men." At which the crowd again laughed "What's the matter with Shock?" suggested someone; "he's a good strong man." There was a general laugh.

"You're the man, Shock.You would clear out those saloons.""Can you ride a broncho, Shock?"

At the good-natured chaff Shock blushed a deeper red than usual.No one expected much of poor Shock.Indeed, most of his classmates wondered if he would ever "get a place," and none more than Shock himself.

But Brown, resenting the laugh and its all too evident implication, replied indignantly: "You bet Shock's the man for the West, or any place else where solid men are wanted, and where Shock goes there will be something doing! And," striking an attitude, "the country will be the better for it! Oh, I am a Canadian!" he continued, smiting his breast dramatically."Come along, Shock, we've got an appointment," and Brown, linking his arm affectionately through that of his big friend, stuck his cap on the back of his head and marched off whistling "The Maple Leaf.""Say!" he cried, as he passed out into the street, "won't a lot of those fellows volunteer, or will they hunt round for a nice little bunk in Ontario?""Many would like to go if they could," said Shock thoughtfully, "but you know there are many things that must be considered.""Young ladies, eh?" asked Brown with a laugh.

"Oh! didn't he tell that yarn well? It was great.But I'd hate to be the fellow.""But you are not fair," replied Shock."A man can't answer every appeal.He must think what he is fit for, and, in short, where he is called to work.There's Lloyd, now--""Oh, Lloyd!" broke in Brown impatiently."He's a quitter.""Not he.He's anything but that."

"No," owned Brown, "he's not a quitter, but he puts in overtime thinking of what's good for Lloyd.Of course, I do that sort of thing myself, but from a fellow like Lloyd one expects something better."Soon they were at Shock's door.

"Come in," said Shock cordially, "mother will be glad to see you."And Brown went in.