"I am engaged in trade," answered the clerk, haughtily.
"Then you do work for a livin', and so, of course, you're a laborer."
"Sir, men in my business are not laborers—they are merchants."
"What's the difference?"
"I perceive, sir, that you are not accustomed to society. I excuse you on account of your ignorance."
"Ignorance! What do you mean by that?" demanded Mr. Tarbox, in his turn indignant.
Jonathan looked threatening, and as he was physically the Englishman's superior, the latter answered hastily:
"I only meant to say that you were not versed in the requirements and conventionalities of society."
"Is that English?" asked Jonathan, with a puzzled look.