Part 10 (1/2)
”I'uess I'll be fit in a few minutes”
”Able to walk over to my tent? If not, I'll have some of the fellows carry you”
”Oh, no; I can walk if I can getthe way they should this hs soreed the showeon arrived After a brief examination he announced that Phil was not injured, unless, perhaps, hehi up the tent
”I think soain,” decided the lad
”Haven't you had your breakfast yet?” deuess I've been too busy”
”Come with me, then I haven't hadhis ar walked froain until they had reached the er and much more commodious affair than it had been last year
He placed Phil in a folding easy chair, and sat down to his desk where he began writing
After finishi+ng, Mr Sparling looked up
”Phil,” he said in a more kindly tone than the lad had ever before heard hiation to you last season I'reater one now”
”I wish you wouldn't speak of it, sir What I have done is purely in the line of duty It's a fellow's business to be looking out for his employer's interests That's what I have always tried to do”
”Not only tried, but have,” corrected Mr Sparling ”That's an old-fashi+oned idea of yours It's a pity young men don't feel more that way, these days But that wasn't what I wanted to say
As a little expression of how much I appreciate your interest, as well as the actual money loss you have saved me, I want to make you a little present”
”Oh, no no,” protested Phil
”Here is a check which I have ive you a little start on the season But it isn't all that I a Believe me I do appreciate your kindness, but I mustn't take the check I couldn't take the check”
”Why not?”
”Because I haven't earned it”
”Haven't earned it? He hasn't earned it!”
”No, sir”
The showman threw his hands above his head in a hopeless sort of a way
”I should not feel that I was doing right I want to be independent, Mr Sparling I have plenty of money I have not spent more than half of what I earned last summer
This season I hope to lay by a whole lot, so that I shall be quite independent”
”And so you shall, so you shall, ood naturedly with the flat of his hand
Instead of tearing up the check, however, Mr Sparling put it in an envelope which he directed and stamped, then thrust in his coat pocket