He threw the cap at her in a way to make her jump if it fitted.  But Win did not flinch.  What she had overheard on the first day saved her now from a shock of surprise.

“I caught that word about me from one of the girls,” she admitted frankly.  “I wondered what made her think me a spy, and I’m wondering still.”

“I guess she thought you looked a sort of swell, and any one could see you weren’t used to work.”

“But—­there must be lots of girls like me in your big shops, just as there are at home.”

“No, that’s where you’re mistaken, Miss Child.  There’s more chances with us for women than with you, and more places for ’em.  We don’t get many of your class in the stores.  They can do better for themselves.  You, being a stranger, though, had no pull.  And maybe you haven’t been over here long.”

“I haven’t been long.  But my money ran short,” smiled Win, encouraged now, since neither of Sadie’s prognostications seemed likely to be fulfilled.  “Still, I don’t see why it should occur to anybody that I was a spy.  What would a spy do in a shop?”

“That depends whether the job came from outside or in.”

“I don’t understand!”

“Well, there’s a set of smart Alecks who’ve banded together and call themselves the Anti-Sweat League, or Work People’s Aid Society, or any old name like that.  They smell around to see what goes on behind the scenes in a department store, and drop on us if they can.”

“Oh, I see!  And you thought they might have hired me—–­”

“I didn’t think so, as a matter of fact.  I pride myself on spotting folks for what they are the minute I lamp them.  There’s something about ’em I can feel.  I was sure you weren’t one of that bunch.  But I felt bound to mention the report.  Now that’s finished—­breakfast cleared away!  We’ll go on to the next thing.”

Again Win waited.  And her heart missed a beat, for Mr. Meggison was looking at her as if he had something very special to say.

“Most of the extra people we let go the week after Christmas,” he went on slowly.  “Even if they’re smart, we have enough regular ones without ’em.  But perhaps we can keep you if you make good.  And if you want to stay.  Do you?”

“Yes, thank you.  As far as I can tell now, I should like to stay, if I give satisfaction,” Win answered with caution.

“Well, we’ll see.  It’s up to you, anyhow.  I told you I was going to test your character.  That’s why I put you where I did.  I knew what you’d be up against.  Now the idea is to test you some more.”

He paused an instant.  This was a catch phrase of his:  “the idea is.”  He often used it.  And when he said:  “It is my habit,” or “My way is,” he spoke with the repressed yet bursting pride of the self-made man who has suddenly been raised to a height almost beyond his early dreams.

“I may change you into another department next week,” he went on, “where you’ll have a better time and less work.  What do you say to Gloves?”