"May I not go out for an hour, sir, and see what is going on in the harbour?" I asked, gently.
"No, sir," he replied, sharply; "such nonsense only leads to idleness—idleness to dissipation, and dissipation to ruin! That is the sliding-scale, young man——"
"Oh! my good sir, you are too severe."
"Severe! Mr. Jack Manly!——"
"Well, sir?"
"I have always been kind and indulgent to you."
"Kind—hum."
"Yes; more kind and indulgent than your father, my worthy partner, wishes—and more than he would be."
"Query?"
"What do you mean by 'query'?" he demanded in a bullying tone, for he intensely disliked me, fearing that I should soon be admitted into the firm.