"Is that my fault?" interrupted Al, seeing that the man was crazed with drink, and that the wisest policy was to attempt to conciliate him. "I didn't take the position until Mr. Wattles had decided to discharge you."
"It's a lie!"
"It's the truth."
"If you had not been available he would have taken me back."
"I don't know anything about that. Of course, I had no feeling against you in the matter. I wanted the place, but I could not have obtained it if your work had been satisfactory."
"You used some underhanded method to oust me."
"I did not."
"You did. If you had not, how could you have gotten the place? There are dozens—hundreds—of experienced men, who would have been glad to take the position at half my salary. No, you did it for private reasons of your own. You were hired to do it to separate me from her."
"From whom?"
"You know well enough who I mean."