"I know I am, but I hope you will let me off."
"No; I will not. This is a shabby trick, after I have taken the trouble to break you in, and you know our books perfectly."
"I'm afraid I know them too well," I replied.
"What do you mean by that?" he asked; but he dropped into a chair, apparently faint, as he had been on the preceding occasion.
"I believe in being fair and square, Mr. Whippleton. There is something wrong about the books."
"Nonsense, Phil. That is only because there are some things about the business which you don't understand."
"I want to go to St. Louis this afternoon to see my father."
"Very well; you can go. You can be absent a week, if you wish. Haven't I used you well, Phil?"
"You have, sir,—very well, indeed; and I am grateful to you for all your kindness."
"Then why should you leave? If you wish to see your father, go to St. Louis for a week or two. Your salary shall be paid just the same as though you were here."