Part 24 (2/2)
One afternoon when he was about to leave her, she detained him.
”Mr. Mears--I've something to ask you.”
”Yes, ma'am.”
She had laid her hand upon his great fore-arm; she was gazing at him very earnestly; but she hesitated, with lips trembling nervously, and seemed for a few moments unable to say any more.
”Yes, ma'am.”
Then she spoke quickly and eagerly.
”Stick to me, Mr. Mears. Whatever happens, don't give me up. I should be truly lost without you. Even if it's difficult, stick to me.”
”As long as he lets me,” said Mears huskily.
”He's going to talk to you. Humour him. He has a great respect for you, really.”
”He hasn't shown it so far.”
”Make allowances. It's his way. He has such notions about the new style--which we--which you and I mayn't always approve. But he knows your value. He has said so again and again.”
It was not long after this secret appeal--one morning that Marsden spent in Mallingbridge--when the shop heard ”the Guv'nor begin on Mr.
M.”
”Look here, my friend,” said Mr. Marsden loudly, ”it's about time that we took each other's measure. Is it you or I who is to be c.o.c.k of the walk? Just step in here, please.”
This was said outside the counting-house. The proprietor and the manager at once disappeared; and the news flew far and wide, downstairs and upstairs. ”He has got old Mears behind the gla.s.s.... He is giving old Mears a dressing-down.” All had known that the thing was infallibly coming; the encounter between the greater and the lesser force had been unaccountably delayed; every man and woman in the building now trembled for the result.
”You want to put your authority up against mine. That won't do. One boss is enough in a larger establishment than this.”
But behind the gla.s.s old Mears was very firm. He made himself as big as possible, standing at his full height, seeming to imitate Marsden's trick of squaring the shoulders and throwing back the head.
”_I_ am the boss. And what I say _goes_.”
”And your partner, sir? Mrs. Thompson, I should say Mrs. Marsden--are we to disregard her?”
”No. But I speak for self and partner. Please make a note of that.”
”Very good, sir.”
”Then that's all right. It was a case of '_Twiggez-vous?_' But I think you twig now that I don't stand nonsense--or go on paying salaries in exchange for bounce and impudence.”
”May I ask if you think I am not earning my salary, sir?”
”I haven't said you aren't.”
”Or do you think, sir, if you hunted the country, you'd find a man who'd give the same service for the same money?”
”Oh, if you want to blow your trumpet--”
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