Part 5 (2/2)
”But it was all my fault----”
”No, it wasn't, and please keep quiet”
”But if you are discharged, Matt----”
”I've got so else in view”
”Oh!”
”Well, what have you to say, Miss Bartlett?” asked Randolph Fenton, tearing up thethe pieces into the waste basket
”I--I was going to say that I was partly to bla behind time this noon I was----”
”Do not try to shi+eld him, Miss Bartlett I know him better than you do He is a very lazy and heedless boy, and I have alreadyto do in the h he felt pretty certain of as co
”This shall be your last day of service in these offices This afternoon I will pay you what is due you, and to- to attend to business and not fritter away his time on the streets”
”I have not frittered away my tiet any one to do more than I have done You expect a boy to do two men's work for a boy's pay----”
”Stop!”
”Not until I have finished, sir I ah ti such a step ona slave”
”You outrageous imp! Not another word from you I will not have you in this place another minute! Go to Mr Gaston and draw your pay and leave, and never let ain!”
And white with passion, Randolph Fenton sprang to his feet and threw open the door for Matt to pass out
CHAPTER VI
A BUSINESS PARTNERshi+P
Mr Randolph Fenton's voice had been raised to its highest pitch, and thus the attention of every one in the offices had been attracted to as going on
Ida Bartlett again came forward to speak in Matt's behalf, but ere she could say a word the boy put up his hand warningly, and turned to the book-keeper
”I will take what is due me, Mr Gaston,” he said
Mr Gaston, a somewhat elderly man, nodded, and without a word, turned to his desk and passed over to Matt t one-dollar bills
”I'm sorry, my boy, it isn't more,” he whispered
”Thank you,” returned Matt ”Good-by,” he went on, turning to the other office workers And with a smile and a bow to Ida Bartlett, he passed out of the place
Not until he was some distance away did he draw a deep breath Soed from a prison cell