"I've had to better myself, sir—with a family."
"Quite so. And once you admit any principle but that of supply and demand business methods are at an end. Don't think that this isn't as hard for me as it is for you, Follett, but——"
"If it was as hard for you as it is for me, sir, you'd——"
But, the possibilities here being dangerous, the banker was forced to cut in:
"Besides, you'll get another job. Stairs will write you any kind of recommendation you ask for."
"Recommendations won't do me any good, sir, once I'm fired for old age. That's a worse brand on you than coming out of jail."
The discussion growing painful, the banker rose to put an end to it. Even so, he had something still to say to justify himself.
"It isn't as if I hadn't warned you of this, Follett. You've had two years in which"—it was hard to find the right phrase—"in which to provide for your future."
The clerk was unable to repress a dim, faraway smile.
"Two years in which to provide for my future—on forty-five a week! And me with five mouths to feed, to say nothing of Teddy, who pays his board!"