That wink affected him like a blast of winter wind, and he felt chilled all over. The thought rushed upon him, too, that Charley had been keeping up an artillery of winks like that, to the other clerks, while Mr. Delancey was speaking, and he was assured that his case was understood throughout the house.
Wilkins, who had been regarding him steadily from behind the open door, stepped down from his place, and, sauntering towards the proprietor, addressed a few words to him in an under tone.
The merchant nodded in reply, impatiently, and waved his hand.
The head clerk came back again, and laying his hand on Arthur's shoulder, said, quietly:—
"I overheard you, I think, saying to Mr. Delancey you were not quite well. You are unacclimated, remember, and must take care of yourself. Go up stairs, and see if lying down awhile will not restore you."
Although Arthur felt certain now, that Wilkins knew all, he felt inexpressibly grateful for his apparent ignorance of it, and his kindness towards him, and showed as much in his manner.
"You hesitate—would you rather not go?"
"To tell the truth, Wilkins, I dislike to pass Mr.
Delancey on my way to bed. He will see, too, that my place is vacant, and perhaps discharge me."
"No! You have his permission to go; your place will be taken care of by the next clerk."