The Old Reporter
ment now. What's that? Oh, no, no, no, I wouldn't if I were you. In fact, if I were you I'd go back to my little desk, for really you're getting red in the face and making a scene, young man, before all your father's clerks. If you'd turn around suddenly you'd see them laughing at you. Ah, Colonel, how do you do"—for the father was now coming out of the inner office, saying, "What's this! what's this!"
"Your son was of the opinion that you did not care to talk to The Day. I have taken the liberty of differing with him," and then Billy stated his business, adding, emphatically, "But if you do not want to talk about this matter" The Colonel did not want to talk, but he wanted to have some fun with the reporter, so he led him on.
He ought not to have done this, for reporters are apt to be as quick as lawyers even at thinking and speaking, and this particular reporter when he became excited, as he now was, could say off-hand what most people cannot think of until trying to go to sleep at night. "Well, Mr. Reporter,"
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