"My employer may not be."
"Does your employer know who made the purchase?"
"No, I have not as yet communicated the name to him."
"Don't tell him, then. It is none of his business."
"He will not agree with you there."
"What matter if he does not?"
"You must remember that I am a poor clerk, dependent on my salary, and that in my position, it is not safe to risk offending my employer. Suppose I am discharged from my position, how am I to live?"
"Can you not procure another situation?"
"Not if he refuses his recommendation, which would probably be the case. Besides, our business is crowded, and under the most favorable circumstances I might be weeks, and possibly months, without employment."
Paul Morton leaned his head on his hand, and considered what was to be done with this difficult visitor. It was evident that he expected to be bought off and that he must be.