Part 6 (1/2)
Robert left the office, with a bold bearing, but a heart full of trouble. If only himself had been involved in the calamity, he could have borne it better, but he knew that his loss of place meant privation and want for his mother, unless he could find something to do that would bring in an equal income, and this he did not expect.
”Mr. Baker,” he said, addressing the foreman of his room, on his return from the superintendent's office, ”I am discharged.”
”Discharged?” repeated the foreman, in surprise. ”There must be some mistake about this. You are one of our best hands--for your age, I mean.”
”There is no dissatisfaction with my work that I know of, but I got into a quarrel with Halbert Davis yesterday, and his father wants me to apologize to him.”
”Which you won't do?”
”I would if I felt that I were in fault. I am not too proud for that.
But the fact is, Halbert ought to apologize to me.”
”Halbert is a mean boy. I don't blame you in the least.”
”So I am to report my discharge to you, and ask you for my wages.”
This account was soon settled, and Robert left the factory his own master. But it is poor consolation to be one's own master under such circ.u.mstances. He dreaded to break the news to his mother, for he knew that it would distress her. He was slowly walking along, when he once more encountered Halbert Davis. Halbert was out for the express purpose of meeting and exulting over him, for he rightly concluded that Robert would decline to apologize to him. Robert saw his enemy, and guessed his object, but resolved to say nothing to him, unless actually obliged to do so.
”Where are you going?” demanded Halbert.
”Home.”
”I thought you worked in the factory?”
”Did you?” asked Robert, looking full in his face, and reading the exultation he did not attempt to conceal.
”Perhaps you have got turned out?” suggested Halbert, with a malicious smile.
”You would be glad of that, I suppose,” said our hero.
”I don't think I should cry much,” said Halbert. ”It's true then, is it?”
”Yes; it's true.”
”You won't put on so many airs when you go round begging for cold victuals. It'll be some time before you walk with Hester Paine again.”
”I shall probably walk with her sooner than you will.”
”She won't notice a beggar.”
”There is not much chance of my becoming a beggar, Halbert Davis; but I would rather be one than be as mean as you. I will drop you a slight hint, which you had better bear in mind. It won't be any safer to insult me now than it was yesterday. I can't lose my place a second time.”
Halbert instinctively moved aside, while our hero pa.s.sed on, without taking farther notice of him.
”I hate him!” he muttered to himself. ”I hope he won't find anything to do. If he wasn't so strong, I'd give him a thras.h.i.+ng.”
CHAPTER VI.