“No, sir,” replied the waiter. “I’ve left the Marmawell. I gave up my position this morning, and paid them a month’s wages in lieu of notice.”
“I’m very sorry to hear that,” declared Atherton. “We shall miss you greatly. You’ve got another and better job, I suppose?[Pg 18]”
“Not yet, sir, but with your assistance I hope to get a very much better job. That’s why I’ve come to you now.”
“I see. Well, I will be very glad to do what I can to help you, but I’m sorry to say that I cannot talk with you now. I’m just off to lunch with Professor Tufts. Call again this evening between seven and eight, and we’ll talk the matter over.”
“Thank you, sir, but I can’t wait until this evening. I must see you now.”
Atherton raised his brows.
“Must!” he repeated. “Really, Max, you’re forgetting yourself. That’s hardly the way to speak to me, if you desire my help. However, I don’t suppose you meant to be impertinent.”
“Not at all,” was the reply. “All the same, sir, I repeat that I must see you now.”
“And I repeat that I can’t and won’t see you!” Atherton replied, growing angry.
“I think you will, sir,” Berne assured him suavely.