It appears that the firm had advertised for an errand boy that very morning, and it was naturally supposed that Robert was an applicant.
“Are you the owner of this shop?” asked Robert coolly.
“No,” answered the clerk, lowering his tone a little.
“I thought so. I’ll tell my business to somebody else.”
“You’d better not put on airs!” said the clerk angrily.
“You are the one who is putting on airs,” retorted Robert.
“What’s the matter here?” asked a portly gentleman, walking up to the scene of the altercation.
“I was telling this boy that he would not do for the place,” answered the clerk.
“I believe, Mr. Turner, that you are not commissioned to make a selection,” said the gentleman.
And Turner retired, discomfited.