“The bearer, Jurgis Rudkus, is a particular friend of mine, and I would like you to find him a good place, for important reasons. He was once indiscreet, but you will perhaps be so good as to overlook that.”

Mr. Harmon looked up inquiringly when he read this. “What does he mean by ’indiscreet’?” he asked.

“I was blacklisted, sir,” said Jurgis.

At which the other frowned. “Blacklisted?” he said. “How do you mean?”

And Jurgis turned red with embarrassment. He had forgotten that a blacklist did not exist. “I⁠—that is⁠—I had difficulty in getting a place,” he stammered.

“What was the matter?”

“I got into a quarrel with a foreman⁠—not my own boss, sir⁠—and struck him.”