Fourth, all who would fill their desks with pies, peanut-shells, and story-books to match.
Fifth, several who would drop in nonchalantly at irregular hours, and regard the office only as an agreeable lounging-place, which their presence honored.
Sixth, the sons or scholars of thieves.
Seventh, chronic upsetters of inkstands.
Eighth, a mean, stunted man of twenty-five, shaved close and disguised in jacket and turn-over collar, with forger and picklock in his face.
Ninth, a boy with a pipe, a boy with a “dorg,” and a boy whistling as if his lungs could take breath only in the form of music.
By these successive expurgations, made rapidly by Brightly from his post on the steps, the number of applicants to be noticed was reduced to five or six, all decent, earnest little fellows, and clustered near the door as if they had come early.
One of these was seated against the door, with his head leaning upon the knob. For all the cold, he had dropped asleep in this position. His next neighbor was faithfully defending him from the pokes and pinches of the others.
“One or t’ other of that pair will probably be the man,” thought Brightly, descending the steps and elbowing his way toward the basement door.
The boys at once perceived that this gentleman, whom they had seen surveying them from above, was the advertiser. All felt a little detected. All made quick attempts to reform their manners and
