"Thank you; I am very well content where I am," said Richard coldly.
He did not like the manner in which the shipping-clerk had spoken of
Frank and his family.
"I did not think the Massanets kept boarders," continued Norris. "I thought they were too retired for that."
"I am the only one, and am treated like one of the family."
"Frank has got a sister, hasn't he?"
"Yes."
"Maybe that's the attraction," suggested Norris. "My landlady has a pretty daughter, too."
"It is not the attraction," said Richard flushing, "though she, like her mother, treats me nicely," he added stoutly, and with a certain amount of loyalty.
"Oh, well, it's all right," put in the shipping-clerk hastily. "I don't want you to change if you're satisfied. Only if you get tired of being quiet let me know. I tell you, there's lots of fun to be had if you only know how to get it."
"I guess I won't change, at least for the present," replied the boy.
When he returned to the stock-room he related to Frank what Norris had said about keeping too quiet.