“I guess I’ll go, too,” said John.
“You may. Gilbert, you will resume your old place.”
It would be difficult to paint the anger and mortification upon the faces of the two cousins as they left the office.
“This comes from trying to help you, you young loafer,” said Moore, savagely, turning upon John. “But for you I should have kept my place.”
“I’m sure I aint to blame,” said John, whining.
“You are wholly to blame. I shall thrash you some day.”
John thought this rather hard, since the plot was of his cousin’s contriving. I may remark here that months passed before Simon Moore obtained another situation.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
MR. BRIGGS RETURNS FROM EUROPE.
So Gilbert was reinstated in his old position, at an advanced salary. His income was now seventeen dollars a week,—an amount which enabled him to live very comfortably, and even to lay aside a few dollars every week. Of course, this required the exercise of economy; but Gilbert felt it to be his duty to be prudent, and prepare for a time when his income might be less.
He found the new book-keeper a very different man from Mr. Moore. He was quite as efficient, and far more agreeable. From the first he regarded Gilbert with friendly interest, and treated him as a friend.