"I'm not satisfied; but if you leave, I shall believe that you are a party to the villany that has been carried on in the counting-room. I thought you were on very intimate terms with Mr. Whippleton, your employer, sailing with him, and spending your Sundays on the lake with him."
"I never was in a boat with him on Sunday in my life, sir," I protested, vehemently.
"Well, he was out in his boat every Sunday, and I supposed, as you went with him at other times, you did on Sundays."
"No, sir; I did not. He was very kind to me, and I was grateful to him for it."
"You seem to be," sneered the dignified senior.
"He treated me with a kindness and consideration which I never received from his partner; and I shall always thankfully remember that, whatever else in him I may desire to forget," I replied, smartly, for I was cut to the soul by the cold and harsh words and manner of Mr. Collingsby, after I had exposed the rascality of his partner.
"No impudence, young man."
"I should like to leave at once, sir."
"You can't leave."
"I think I can, sir."