Bolingbroke was terribly disappointed to lose even a temporary place.
CHAPTER VIII.
PUPILS FOR THE BEECH-HILL INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.
Mr. Longbrook conducted Bolingbroke to another part of the wharf, and pointed out to him an old sloop, about the size of the one sunk in the deep water.
“I am sorry you are out of a place, young man; but you are welcome to that boat in place of the one you lost, though I don’t feel under any obligations to replace it. It was your misfortune that you were accused of a crime. If you had not run away, I should have had a chance to investigate the matter. I went out for a moment, and when I returned you had gone. When I want another clerk, I will try to think of you,” said the merchant, as he walked away towards the store.
Bolingbroke could hardly keep from crying at his disappointment in losing the place, which he had expected would be a permanent one. The salary was only four dollars a week; but he could
board with a relative for two, and he could at least relieve his father of one mouth to feed.
“What’s the matter, my lad?” asked Captain Gildrock, as he and Dory walked up the wharf. “You look as though you had not a friend in the world.”
“I have lost the place I expected to have, and my father is very poor,” replied Bolingbroke with due humility.