“Yes, sir,” whined the boy. “Won’t you take me back, sir?”
The broker shook his head.
“No, I cannot,” he said. “You have deceived me, and I cannot trust you.”
“I won’t do it again, sir.”
“I could not take you back now if I would,” said the broker. “I have engaged this boy in your place.”
John scowled at Gilbert with a sense of personal injury, and left the office.
CHAPTER IX.
THE FIRST DAY IN BUSINESS.
During the day Gilbert learned the way to the Stock Exchange, to the bank where his employer kept an account, and to the Post Office. He was also sent on various errands to offices of other brokers and business men. Indeed, he was kept so busy that he found the day pass very rapidly. He made up his mind that he should like Mr. Sands, whose manner towards him was marked with kindness and consideration.
It was not so, however, with the clerk who has already been mentioned. He was disposed to regard Gilbert as an unwelcome intruder into the office. His prejudice will be understood when the reader learns that he was a cousin of the boy who had been discharged. He had interceded to have John reinstated in his place; but Mr. Sands had been inexorable.
“I should like to oblige you, Mr. Moore,” said he, “but I cannot take back your cousin. I must have a boy in whom I can feel a reasonable degree of confidence.”