By this time the man’s anger had begun to cool off a little. He was a shrewd reader of faces, and Clark’s straightforward glance and manly air began to make an impression on him.
“What’s your name?” he asked gruffly.
“Stanley Clark.”
“Well, Mr. Stanley Clark, I suppose I’m a fool, but I’m going to trust you. How long do you expect me to wait for my money?”
“How much will the glass cost?” inquired Clark.
“Five dollars; the glass and the putting in. It’s a big window, you see.”
“Yes, I see,” said Clark. “Well, sir, you shall have the money before the first of February. Will that do?”
“That will do,” and without another word the man turned away, saying to himself, “I may be mistaken, but I believe that young chap is honest. Anyhow, if he doesn’t keep his word, I’ll see the principal of the high school. They were high school boys, and I could pick that one out among a thousand.”
As the man departed, all eyes were turned on Griffin, and Hamlin voiced the feeling of many when he said:—
“I call that right down mean and sneaky, Griffin. It is really you who ought to pay that bill.”