The other was quite a young fellow, with brown hair, hazel eyes, and an open countenance.

"Many a hard rub puts a point on a man." So Hope resolved at once to say nothing to that pale clerk so like a kite, but to interest the open countenance in him and his hungry child.
There were two approaches to the large office.

One, to Hope's right, through a door and a lobby.

This was seldom used except by the habitues of the place.

The other was to Hope's left, through a very small office, generally occupied by an inferior clerk, who kept an eye upon the work outside.