“It is not fitting that you, a boy of fifteen, should dictate to your employer.”
“I don’t wish to, Major Norton, but I am not willing to wear that suit.”
“You are too proud. Your pride needs taking down.”
“Major Norton,” said Joe firmly, “I should like to tell you how I feel. You are my employer, and I am your hired boy. I try to do my duty by you.”
“You are a good boy to work, Joseph. I don’t complain of that.”
“You agreed to give me board and clothing for my services.”
“So I have.”
“Yes, sir; but you have dressed me in such a way that I attract attention in the street for my shabbiness. I don’t think I am very proud, but I have been mortified! more than once when I saw people looking at my patched clothes and shoes out at the toes. I think if I work faithfully I ought to be dressed decently.”
“Joseph,” said Major Norton uneasily, “you look at the thing too one-sided. You don’t expect me to dress you like Oscar?”
“No, sir; I don’t. If you would spend half as much for my clothes as you do for Oscar’s I would be contented.”