“All right, sir.”
“And don’t be gone all day.”
“I shall be back as soon as I can,” said Gilbert, coldly.
“Mind you do!” said Moore, in an aggravating manner.
It was a comfort to Gilbert that Mr. Moore did not venture to treat him in this way while Mr. Sands was in the office. Then, if he had occasion to speak, it was in a proper tone. But for two or three hours during the day the broker was absent at the Stock Exchange, and during this period the clerk saw fit to treat him with rudeness. This treatment, which commenced on the first day, was continued. Gilbert made little effort to conciliate Simon Moore (this was the clerk’s full name), for he saw in advance that he would have small chance of succeeding. He was convinced of it when he discovered the relationship between Moore and his predecessor, and learned, moreover, that the clerk was a boarder in his cousin’s family.
“I shall have to be very careful,” thought Gilbert, “or Mr. Moore will get me into trouble of some kind. He wants to get rid of me, for some reason or other.”
Gilbert came to the only sensible determination: to do his duty as well and faithfully as he knew how, and trust to Providence for the issue. He decided not to trouble himself too much about the clerk’s enmity, since he knew that he had done nothing to deserve it.
At a little before four Gilbert left the office, and sought the counting-room of Mr. Briggs. He found that gentleman ready to go up-town.
“Well, Gilbert,” he said, “how do you like your first day in business?”
“Very well, sir. I think I shall get on.”