I could not help giving him rather a droll look.
“Of course, sir,” I said, “I am discharged.”
“Yes, yes, I had forgotten that,” he said, hurriedly. “You must have a better post—one more suited to your abilities. Now, let me see—let me see—what steps ought I to take first? Something in the city, perhaps, or I would rather see you in one of the Government offices.”
I looked at him wonderingly, as he sat down at the table now, and taking up a letter, used it to tap on the polished wood.
“Yes, I think in one of the Government offices,” he continued, while I glanced now at Mrs John, whose face was full of the lines caused by her thoughts.
As she met my eyes, she gave me a piteous look, and shook her head sadly, as if saying something by way of warning.
“Yes, I think decidedly one of the Government offices, my dear, but which?”
As he spoke he raised his eyes and looked at Mrs John, who met his gaze with one so full of loving tenderness that it impressed me, and the more that I saw what a change took place directly in Mr John’s countenance, ending by his looking down at the letter he held in his hand.
“Ah,” he exclaimed, “what a miserable dreamer I am! Always the same! Mayne, my boy,” he added, piteously, “you must not listen to me. I cannot even help myself, and here am I talking to you in this vain, foolish way.”
He let his head drop into his hands, and sat bent down till Mrs John went to his side.