“I know I’m not going to see that boy abused,” flashed the exchange clerk. “How about that errand—to the stock-room?”
A deep flush mounted to the man’s forehead. “You mind your own business,” he said quickly, his voice shaking with anger. “When Martin Brothers give you charge of this end of the floor, then you can offer your advice. But I don’t believe you’ll be here long enough for that to happen.” He stalked away from the desk.
“The old scorpion,” muttered Margaret Welch. “He’ll never rest till he gets that poor kid out of here. Harry’s too honest to suit him.”
And this was precisely what Mr. Barton was thinking as he walked away.
[CHAPTER XV]
A FATEFUL GAME OF CATCH
But while the clouds of injustice lowered over Harry Harding’s head, the days moved along far more pleasantly for Teddy Burke in his realm of kettles and pans than he had expected when first cast adrift in Department 40. Notwithstanding Teddy’s love of mischief, he had made many friends in the department. His impish performances were never directed against a particular individual, and they were usually so funny as to be extremely entertaining, rather than reprehensible. The very sight of a slim little figure, topped by a brilliant red head, bobbing about between the rows of house furnishings was sure to be productive of a smile on the part of the salespersons. Teddy was in a fair way to be spoiled, and had he not possessed a sturdy honesty of purpose that spurred him on to do his work well, he might frequently have taken advantage of the good-natured tolerance with which the members of the department looked upon him.