“That won’t make any difference. Didn’t I discharge my duty faithfully?”
Gilbert did not know, and expressed no opinion. Moreover, he thought he would not inquire, preferring to remain neutral. Besides, he doubted whether he could fully rely on the correctness of John’s statements.
“I don’t want to lose my place,” he said; “but if I do, I hope you will get it back again.”
“Suppose you resign in my favor,” suggested John, in an insinuating manner.
“I would rather not,” answered Gilbert, who felt that this request was decidedly cool.
“Just as I thought,” muttered John.
“Mr. Sands would not thank me for meddling with what is not my business. If he chooses, at any time, to put you back and dismiss me, he’ll do so without any request from me.”
John did not vouchsafe an answer, but walked off sullenly.
Nothing of any importance occurred during the day, except that Gilbert found the book-keeper as disagreeable as ever. It seemed impossible to suit him. This Gilbert correctly attributed to his disappointment that his cousin had been superseded.
About the hour of closing, Gilbert was surprised at the entrance of Mr. Briggs.