Lesson 38

              Text A

    Can't She Type?
    The well-known banker, T. J. Ellington, was at one time in his younger days the manager of a New York office. His secretary had been with him for many years, and knew his ways and habits. She always kept a glass of water on his desk, and knew that he disliked flowers in the office. He had a habit of interrupting a letter (when she was writing it down) with a few words on other subjects which had no connection with the letter; but she knew how to deal with that. She was never late , and was always willing to work beyond office hours when necessary. Therefore, when she left the office to get married, Ellington felt rather sorry for himself.

    In those days good secretaries were hard to find. Ellington rang up the office in the city which had supplied him before; but the woman there said that she had no one suitable. He tried several other places, but the answer was always the same. There did not seem to be any secretaries unemployed. But it was absolutely necessary for him to find someone , and at last he rang up the first office again and urged the woman to find a girl who could at least type.

    "Well," she said slowly, "there's Miss Steele. "
    "Good!" cried Ellington. "Send her along at once. I really
must have someone here immediately. "
    "I'm not sure about her," said the woman doubtfully. "Why? Can't she type? Is she too old?"
    "Oh, she's quite young. In fact she's only just left the Secretarial College. She types very well indeed. "
    "Well, then, what's the matter? Send her here at once. "
    "All right, if you say so. But she's a bit simple. "

    Miss Steele arrived soon afterwards, and he explained her duties to her. At first she refused to accept the post; she said that she had had no experience and was not used to such work. But after a further conversation he managed to persuade her to come, at least for a week or two. She agreed, but her face had a doubtful expression on it as she went out.

    On the following morning Miss Steele arrived at the office ready for work. Ellington had one letter to which he wished to reply immediately, and he rang the bell. Miss Steele came in quietly and sat down, pencil in hand and notebook on knee. Ellington told her to take a letter, and was glad to see that she could write as fast as he spoke. It was soon done and she went out to type it.
    "Well , " thought Ellington, "there doesn't seem to be much wrong with that girl."

    A short time later she entered the office again and placed a letter, beautifuily typed on his desk. He looked at it with pleasure, but read it with surprise. It was as follows:"24th
July, 1976.
    "Mr James Vandenberg,
    "His address is on this letter. Here! Take it with yau."Dear Sir,

    "I thank you for your letter of yesterday's date. I think the question of the electric motors needs further consideration, and as time is important, it will probably be best if we meet to discuss it. There's that cat outside the mindozv again. Please tell Miss Harper to remove it and keep it away. I've told her before about it. I should take it as a favour if you would lunch with me on Friday next. What's happened to my glass of water this morning? We may then be able to settle the matter finally. I don't like flozvers in the office. Please remove them. I usually lunch at one o'clock. Please let me know if that time will suit you. This letter is zmportant and I want you to type it carefully.
       "Yours faithfully,"

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