Part 3 (2/2)
”You are very polite to call my services valuable,” said d.i.c.k. ”I hope they will be.”
”You haven't answered my question.”
”I have no objection, I'm sure. I'm to get ten dollars a week.”
”Ten dollars a week!” echoed the book-keeper, with a scornful laugh. ”Do you expect you will earn that?”
”No, I don't,” said d.i.c.k, frankly.
”You don't!” returned the other, doubtfully. ”Well, you're more modest than I thought for. Then why are you to get so much?”
”Perhaps Mr. Rockwell will tell you,” said d.i.c.k, ”if you tell him you're very particular to know, and will lose a night's rest if you don't find out.”
”I wouldn't give you a dollar a week.”
”Then I'm glad I aint goin' to work for you.”
”I don't believe your story at all. I don't think Mr. Rockwell would be such a fool as to overpay you so much.”
”P'r'aps I shouldn't be the only one in the establishment that is overpaid,” observed d.i.c.k.
”Do you mean me, you young rascal?” demanded the book-keeper, now very angry.
”Don't call names. It isn't polite.”
”I demand an answer. Do you mean to say that I am overpaid?”
”Well,” said d.i.c.k, deliberately, ”if you're paid anything for bein'
polite, I should think you was overpaid considerable.”
There is no knowing how long this skirmis.h.i.+ng would have continued, if Mr. Rockwell himself had not just then entered the counting-room. d.i.c.k rose respectfully at his entrance, and the merchant, recognizing him at once, advanced smiling and gave him a cordial welcome.
”I am glad to see you, my boy,” he said. ”So you didn't forget the appointment. How long have you been here?”
”Half an hour, sir.”
”I am here unusually early this morning. I came purposely to see you, and introduce you to those with whom you will labor. Mr. Gilbert, this is a young man who is going to enter our establishment. His name is Richard Hunter. Mr. Gilbert, Richard, is our book-keeper.”
Mr. Gilbert nodded slightly, not a little surprised at his employer's cordiality to the new boy.
”So the fellow was right, after all,” he thought. ”But it can't be possible he is to receive ten dollars a week.”
”Come out into the ware-room, and I will show you about,” continued Mr.
Rockwell. ”How do you think you shall like business, Richard?”
d.i.c.k was on the point of saying ”Bully,” but checked himself just in time, and said instead, ”Very much indeed, sir.”
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