"But, sir, that is very hard on me. How am I to get along?"
"I hope you may find something else to do. We shall pay you a month's salary in advance, to give you an opportunity of looking about."
"But, Mr. Graves, why am I treated so harshly? Can't you intercede for me? I am a poor man."
"I feel for your situation, Mr. Carver, but I am compelled to say that I do not feel disposed to intercede for you."
"Haven't I always served the bank faithfully?"
"I advise you to ask yourself that question, Mr. Carver," said the president significantly. "You can answer it to your own conscience better than I or any one else can do for you."
"What does he mean?" thought Carver, startled.
Then it occurred to the messenger that nothing had been discovered, but that Mr. Graves, who had recently shown such partiality to Grit, wished to create a vacancy for him.
"Are you going to put Grit Morris in my place?" he asked angrily.