"You must ask him."
"Can't you put him off for a week? I haven't got nobody to fill your place."
"You might get Richard Childs, but you would have to pay him more. He is a good, strong boy."
"Yes, he might do; but I should like to keep you a week longer."
"It will be impossible, Mr. Tubbs."
When Gerald left the grocery in the evening with three dollars in his pocket, he felt glad to bid farewell to a place that he had found so disagreeable.
CHAPTER XVII
GERALD LEAVES PORTVILLE
On his way to church the next day Gerald fell in with Richard Childs, a stout, manly boy of sixteen.
"I want to speak to you, Gerald," said Richard. "Mr. Tubbs has offered me a place in his store. I don't want to accept it till I learn whether I am depriving you of employment."