ever, was not to be put off in this manner; and drawing out his tooth-pick, he began using it among his huge masticators, and continued:—
"I s'pose you thought the boss was of the Puritan stamp, and would perhaps promote you for that nice little affair of this morning, eh? You found yourself mistaken, I reckon, when you had the thirty-five charged over, ha, ha!"
"I thought, sir, of acting honestly, only; and since you happened to overhear the conversation, let me tell you that I should have done the same thing the next moment, under like circumstances."
"Well, you're a precious ninny, that's all I've got to say about it."
"If so, perhaps you'll be willing to lounge on your own counter instead of mine, Mr. Quirk."
"No," he replied, at the same time changing his position, "I'm comfortable enough here; so long as the boss don't see me, I believe I will stay where I am."
Guly made no reply.
"Well, say," said Quirk, again wheeling round so as to face Guly, "what's the reason you can't be a little sociable with a feller, when he comes and tries to talk with you. Pshaw, your brother is worth two of you."
"I prefer devoting business hours to business," returned Guly.
"And paying for lost sales out of your own salary. Let me advise you, if you are going to stay in this place, to let