"Well, I've got a place, a situation, an appointment, anything you like to call it, at a shop in the town."
"At a shop!" almost gasped his elder sister, while Molly sat with half-opened mouth, looking at Arthur in silence for a minute. At last she managed to say, "What shop is it?"
"Oh! A fal-lal shop and a tailor's shop, where they sell everything from a reel of cotton to a steam-engine."
"Oh! And are you going to be among your beloved steam-engines after all?" said Molly, in a tone of relief.
"Oh, no! Reels of cotton will be more likely, I expect," said her brother, trying to speak defiantly, but failing in the attempt.
"Now, just tell us straight out what you have done?" said Molly.
"Well, I am going as cashier to the Grand Emporium in London Road."
"Arthur, Mamma won't like that!" said the elder sister.
"I can't help it, Annie; there seems nothing else to be had. I have waited six months for Mr. Best and the others to stir themselves, and I can't wait any longer."
"But Mamma said a year longer at school would not hurt you," put in Molly eagerly.