"I believe he is. Both of them are very bitter."
"I suppose they are bitter against me too," observed Nat soberly.
"It is more than likely. But that can't be helped, Nat. In business a man is bound to make more or less of enemies."
John Garwell was very busy, and said he would look over the documents the next day. But on the following morning he was called out of town, so the documents were not examined until some days later.
As soon as he returned to the office, Nat went to work with vigor for over a week, to make up for the lost time. He had a great deal of writing on hand, and one evening he remained at the place until after nine o'clock.
As Nat had been indoors nearly all day, he resolved to walk home, just for the physical exercise and to get the fresh air. He started up Broadway, and was soon as far as Tenth Street. Here he attempted to cross the thoroughfare, but was stopped by a jam of cars and other vehicles.
"Let me alone!" he heard a boy not far off say. "Let me alone! I won't give you my money!"
"You've got to pay for the papers, country!" cried another boy. "Come, fork over the fifteen cents."
"It's all I've got."
"I don't care. Fork over, or I'll—I'll mash you!"