“John has reformed, sir. He will be strictly honest hereafter.”
“I hope he will, for his own sake; but it is best for him to find some place where there will be fewer opportunities to steal.”
The clerk saw that it would be of no use to pursue the subject further, and was silent. But he made up his mind to dislike any boy that might come in his cousin’s place.
In his employer’s presence he did not venture to manifest his feelings, but when Gilbert came back from an errand later in the day, Mr. Sands being absent at the Board, he said irritably, “What made you so long?”
“So long?” repeated Gilbert, in surprise. “I lost no time, Mr. Moore. I went directly to the office where I was sent, and as soon as my business was attended to I came directly back.”
“Oh, no doubt!” sneered Moore. “You didn’t stop to play on the way, of course.”
“No, I didn’t,” said Gilbert, indignantly.
“Then you stopped to hear a hand-organ, or something of the kind,” persisted Moore, in a disagreeable manner.
“You are quite mistaken, Mr. Moore. You probably know where the office is, and must be aware that I had no time for any such delay.”
“Oh, you are a model boy, I have no doubt!” sneered the clerk.