"Read it when nobody's looking," he said in a low voice; "and don't think wrong of me for meddling in what's not my business"; and he was off again.
A few minutes later I read:
"You'd better give up this job. It's no place for a girl that wants to do right. Come back Monday and get your money; and I wouldn't stay to-night after six o'clock, if I was you, but go home and rest. If you can't get a job as good as this inside of a day or two, I think my sister can get one for you in her place; but you won't stay here if you take my advice.
"Yours truly,
"J. P.
"P.S. Please don't show this, or I'd lose my job; and be sure to come Monday evening for your money."
I made at once for the cloak-room. When I emerged, a moment later, it was to find the narrow passage obstructed by one of the big soiled-linen trucks, over which "J. P." bent industriously, as if he hadn't another thought in the world beyond the sorting of table-cloths and napkins. Suddenly he lifted up his lank frame, and seeing one of his workpeople making her escape, he called out:
"It's not six o'clock yet!"
"I don't care if it isn't; I am going home," I replied promptly.
"What's the matter?" he asked in a loud voice, and then, as he drew near, added in an undertone:
"You read my note?"