"Thank you," said Dick, "you're very kind. Are you sure I read the paper? Is there any news missin' out of it?"
"You're an impudent boy," said the book-keeper, provoked. He wanted to overawe Dick; but somehow Dick wouldn't be overawed. Evidently he did not entertain as much respect for the book-keeper as that gentleman felt to be his due. That a mere errand-boy should bandy words with a gentleman in his position seemed to Mr. Gilbert highly reprehensible.
"You're an impudent boy!" repeated Gilbert, sharply, finding Dick did not reply to his first charge.
"I heard you make that remark before," said Dick, quietly.
Now there was nothing out of the way in Dick's tone, which was perfectly respectful, and he only stated a fact; but the book-keeper became still more angry.
"Who rumpled that paper?" he asked.
"Suppose you ask Mr. Murdock?" said Dick.
"Did he come in here?" asked Gilbert, cooling down, for it was against Dick that his charge was made, and not against the head clerk. As to the paper, he really cared nothing.
"Yes," said Dick.
"Then it's all right. I supposed you had been idling your time over the paper. Go and ask Mr. Murdock what time it is. I left my watch at home."