“Not a second after I can get the money.”
“When will you hear from your uncle?”
“To-morrow morning if he writes by return. But I’ve no hopes from him.”
“I suppose it would not do to ask the partners,” said Jack.
I was thunderstruck at the very idea. For Jack to entertain it for a moment only showed how desperately in earnest he was.
We could get no light on the subject, and I had the pleasure of being reminded by Hawkesbury’s smile all day long that I was in his power, and saw no way out.
That whole evening Jack and I sat and discussed the situation. We even rose early, to consult Mr Smith the elder on his return to the lodgings. He soon appreciated our difficulty; but he could suggest no relief. For he was as poor as either of us, and had as few friends.
My uncle’s letter did not come that day or the next.
Meanwhile I knew no peace. Hawkesbury’s manner was more suave and condescending than ever.
To the rest of my fellow-clerks during those two days I was the most cross-grained and obnoxious comrade conceivable. My only relief seemed to be in quarrelling with somebody, and as they all laid themselves out to bait and tease me one way or another I had a pretty lively time of it.