“Don’t hesitate to speak out, Mr. Walker,” said Guy, who believed that the merchant was thinking how he could best communicate to him the fact that his services were no longer needed. “If I am to be discharged, please say so.”
Mr. Walker understood and fully appreciated the situation. Guy was thoroughly penitent—there could be no question about that; but there was an ominous glitter in his eye and a determined set to his tightly closed lips which the merchant did not fail to notice, and which told him as plainly as words that if there ever was a moment in one’s life when his future was to be decided for good or ill, that moment in Guy’s life had arrived. The right word just then would have buried his resolutions of amendment beyond all hope of resurrection, and sent him down hill with lightning speed. Mr. Walker was not an instant in deciding on his course.
“My dear boy,” said he, rising and taking Guy’s hand in his own with a cordial grasp, “I have no intention of saying anything of the kind. Why should I discharge you when I have all faith in you? You are a capable, painstaking clerk, and until yesterday I never knew there was anything in your conduct with which anybody could find fault. It has been a bitter lesson, Guy, you know. Will you profit by it?”
“Indeed I shall, sir,” replied the boy with tears in his eyes.
“Then I shall rest perfectly satisfied that you will never make these mistakes again. My confidence in you is as strong as it ever was, for there is always hope for one who voluntarily confesses a fault. So take courage and begin over again. You have the making of a smart man in you, Guy, and I hope to live to see you honored and respected.”
These words were too much for Guy. Had Mr. Walker upbraided him, as he knew he deserved, the old spirit of recklessness and desperation, which Mrs. Willis had so nearly exorcised, would have come back to him, and he could have kept up a bold front; but the accents of kindness touched his heart.
He covered his face with his hands and wept bitterly. Mr. Walker waited until the violence of his grief had subsided and then continued:
“You have made all the amends in your power, Guy, and now I will help you to do the rest, so that you can begin over again in good shape. In the first place, you must return Mr. Whitney’s money.”
“Oh, Mr. Walker!” exclaimed Guy.
“It must be done!” said the merchant. “No half-way work will answer. I will furnish the funds, and I will also provide means for the payment of all your debts. I will be your only creditor. And when you have settled with all these men, Guy,” he added earnestly, “make a resolution and stick to it, that as long as you live you will never again go in debt. Wear a threadbare coat, if you must, but wear one that is paid for.”