“Well, you couldn’t complain of that. Things looked pretty dark for you.”
“If I had committed the theft, I would not complain. Indeed, I would submit to punishment without a murmur. But it is hard to suffer while innocent.”
“Uncle James,” said Jasper, “if Ropes is going will you ask Mr. Goodnow to put me in his place?”
Even Mr. Redwood was disgusted by this untimely request.
“It would be more becoming,” he said sharply, “if you would wait till Ropes was fairly out of the store before applying for his position.”
“I want to be in time. I don’t want any one to get ahead of me.”
James Redwood did not deign a reply.
“I am sorry you leave us under such circumstances, Ropes,” he said. “The time may come when you will be able to establish your innocence, and in that case Mr. Goodnow will probably take you back again.”
Rodney did not answer, but with his order went to the cashier’s desk and received the four dollars due him. Then, with a heavy heart, he left the store where it had been such a satisfaction to him to work.
On Broadway he met his room mate, Mike Flynn, in the uniform of a telegraph boy.