Part 34 (1/2)
”I'd make the young rascal change his name, if I were you,” said Clifton, ”if he's going to get into the Police record.”
”I think I shall,” said d.i.c.k, ”or maybe I'll change my own. You couldn't mention a highly respectable name that I could take,--could you?”
”Clifton is the most respectable name I know of,” said the young gentleman owning that name.
”If you'll make me your heir, perhaps I'll adopt it.”
”I'll divide my debts with you, and give you the biggest half,” said Clifton.
It is unnecessary to pursue the conversation. d.i.c.k found to his satisfaction that no one at the table suspected that he was the Richard Hunter referred to in the ”Express.”
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE CUP AND THE LIP.
While d.i.c.k's night preceding the trial was an anxious one, Gilbert and Roswell Crawford pa.s.sed a pleasant evening, and slept soundly.
”Do you think Mr. Rockwell would be willing to give me the same wages he has paid to the boot-black?” he inquired with interest.
”Perhaps he won't take you at all.”
”I think he ought to pay some attention to your recommendation,” said Mrs. Crawford. ”You ought to have some influence with him.”
”Of course,” said Gilbert, ”I shall do what I can in the matter; but it's a pity Roswell can't give better references.”
”He's never been with a decent employer yet. He's been very unlucky about his places,” said Mrs. Crawford.
She might have added that his employers had considered themselves unfortunate in their engagement of her son; but, even if she had known it, she would have considered that they were prejudiced against him, and that they were in fault entirely.
”I will do what I can for him,” continued Gilbert; ”but I am very sure he won't get as much as ten dollars a week.”
”I can earn as much as the boot-black, I should hope,” said Roswell.
”He didn't earn ten dollars a week.”
”He got it.”
”That's a very different thing.”
”Well, if I get it, I don't care if I don't earn it.”
”That's true enough,” said Gilbert, who did not in his heart set a very high estimate upon the services of his young cousin, and who, had the business been his own, would certainly not have engaged him at any price.
Roswell thought it best not to say any more, having on some previous occasions been greeted with remarks from his cousin which could not by any means be regarded as complimentary.
”Do you think I had better come in at ten o'clock, Cousin James?”
inquired Roswell, as breakfast was over, and Gilbert prepared to go to the counting-room.