“Give us the story, Tom,” said Mr. Armstrong.
So Tom told the story, which was listened to with astonishment by the two merchants.
“What do you say now, Hugh?” demanded Mr. Armstrong in triumph.
“Say? I say that if this young man wants a situation, I’ll engage him this very day to enter my counting-room.”
“I think he ought to give me the preference. What do you say, Tom? Will you accept a clerkship at a hundred dollars a month?”
“Thank you, gentlemen, both,” said Tom, bowing, “but the fact is, I’ve adopted a rich uncle, and I can’t make any arrangements without consulting him.”
CHAPTER XLIII
CIRCUMSTANCES ALTER CASES.
“NATHAN,” asked Mrs. Middleton, “have you ever heard anything of our old boarder, Tom Temple?”