“It has done me a great, great deal of good——”
“It has not, Marks. It can’t have done it; not real good,” came the Squire’s interruption. “One would think you were a child.”
“It was with difficulty I obtained this one week’s leave,” he explained. “I am really required in the office; my absence I know causes trouble. This holiday has done so much for me that I shall go back with a good heart.”
“Look here,” said the Squire: “suppose you take French leave, and stay?”
“In that case my discharge would doubtless arrive by the first post.”
“Look here again: suppose in a month or two you break down and have to leave? What then?”
“Brown and Co. would appoint a fresh clerk in my place.”
“Why don’t Brown and Co. keep another clerk or two, so as to work you all less?”
Marks smiled at the very idea. “That would increase their expenses, Mr. Todhetley. They will never do that. It is a part of the business of Brown’s life to keep expenses down.”
Well, Marks had to go. The Squire was very serious in thinking more rest absolutely needful—of what service could a week be, he reiterated. Down he sat, wrote a letter to Brown and Co., telling them his opinion, and requesting the favour of their despatching James Marks back for a longer holiday. This he sent by post, and they would get it in the morning.