Part 5 (1/2)
”I congratulate you on your success,” said Roswell, in the same disagreeable manner. ”Of course that's all humbug. I suppose you've got a place.”
”Yes,” said d.i.c.k.
”Who are you with?”
”Rockwell & Cooper, on Pearl Street.”
”How did you get it?” asked Roswell, appearing surprised. ”Did they know you had been a boot-black?”
”Of course they did.”
”I shouldn't think that they would have taken you.”
”Why not?”
”There are not many firms that would hire a boot-black, when they could get plenty of boys from nice families.”
”Perhaps they might have secured your services if they had applied,”
said d.i.c.k, good-humoredly.
”I've got a place,” said Roswell, in rather an important manner. ”I'm very glad I didn't go into Henderson's hat and cap store. I've got a better situation.”
”Have you?” said d.i.c.k. ”I'm glad to hear it. I'm always happy to hear that my friends are risin' in the world.”
”You needn't cla.s.s me among your friends,” said Roswell, superciliously.
”No, I won't,” said d.i.c.k. ”I'm goin' to be particular about my a.s.sociates, now that I'm gettin' up in the world.”
”Do you mean to insult me?” demanded Roswell, haughtily.
”No,” said d.i.c.k. ”I wouldn't on any account. I should be afraid you'd want me to fight a duel, and that wouldn't be convenient, for I haven't made my will, and I'm afraid my heirs would quarrel over my extensive property.”
”How much do you get a week?” asked Roswell, thinking it best to change the subject.
”Ten dollars,” said d.i.c.k.
”Ten dollars!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Roswell. ”That's a pretty large story.”
”You needn't believe it if you don't want to,” said d.i.c.k. ”That won't make any difference to me as long as they pay me reg'lar.”
”Ten dollars! Why, I never heard of such a thing,” exclaimed Roswell, who only received four dollars a week himself, and thought he was doing well.
”Do you think I'd give up a loocrative business for less?” asked d.i.c.k.
”How much do you get?”
”That's my business,” said Roswell, who, for reasons that may be guessed, didn't care to mention the price for which he was working.
Judging d.i.c.k by himself, he thought it would give him a chance to exult over him.
”I suppose it is,” said d.i.c.k; ”but as you was so partic'lar to find out how much I got, I thought I'd inquire.”