Edward repeated his statement.
"Why don't you save your money?"
"Save it? What is the use of that? I mean to have a good time while I can."
"You never will be a rich man."
"I'll bet I will."
"You could give your mother and Katy a great many nice things with that money."
"Humph! The old man must take care of them. It is all I can do to take care of myself."
"If I had a mother, and brothers and sisters, I should be glad to spend all I got in making them happy," sighed Harry.
On the following Monday morning, Harry went to his new place. He was in a strange position. All was untried and unfamiliar. Even the language of the clerks and salesmen was strange to him; and he was painfully conscious of the deficiencies of his education and of his knowledge of business. He was prompt, active and zealous; yet his awkwardness could not be concealed. The transition from the stable to the store was as great as from a hovel to a palace. He made a great many blunders. Mr. Wake laughed at him; Mr. Wade swore at him; and all the clerks made him the butt of their mirth or their ill nature, just as they happened to feel.
What seemed to him worse than all, Edward Flint joined the popular side, and laughed and swore with the rest. Poor Harry was almost discouraged before dinner time, and began very seriously to consider whether he had not entirely mistaken his calling. Dinner, however, seemed to inspire him with new courage and new energy; and he hastened back to the store, resolved to try again.