to imply so much
doubt of his capacity, that he felt stung to the quick; and it was with
a gesture of pride and impatience, which he could not repress, that he
took the paper. He returned it to the desk in a few minutes, and again
those cold gray eyes ran over his work, and again they showed
disappointment when it proved to be right.

"Wilkins," said Mr. Delancey, turning to that individual, who had
remained standing near, "Give this young man the vacancy in the bleached
goods department, which Jones left."

Mr. Wilkins moved away to fulfill the order, and Arthur was about to
follow him, when his employer called him back.

"It is my custom," said he, "to give young clerks the first year a
merely nominal salary, but as you seem to be pretty well acquainted with
the business, and have a face that may win custom, you will get liberal
pay. I will give you five hundred a year. Five hundred--but mark me,
sir, you've got to earn it!--every picayune of it, sir, you've got to
work for. When any clerk is caught idling or dawdling about these
premises, he's turned out, neck and heels, with only just what he can
scrape together on the shortest possible notice. I hope we understand
each other. Go, now."

Arthur bowed, and moved away with Wilkins, who pointed out his place to
him, and having introduced him to the young men on either side of him,
returned to his position near the big desk.

After dismissing Arthur, Mr. Delancey seemed entirely to have forgotten
Gulian, and leaned stiffly back in his chair, regarding the lines of
clerks and the customers, who now began to flock in, without taking any
notice of him. When Wilkins approached, however, and cast a meaning
glance toward him, he seemed suddenly to remember Gulian, and turning
round, said, bluntly:

"Come here, sir."

Guly's face had lost every vestige of color, and his heart beat so
violently that it seemed to make him tremble all over, and he came
forward hesitatingly, with his eyes cast upon the floor.

"So, you know nothing at all about a store, eh?"

"No, sir."

"Well, I think, for my part, such a white-livered, baby-faced chap as
you are would have been better off at your mother's apron strings, than
coming so far from home to get initiated."

No answer, but the pale face and golden head drooped a trifle lower.

"Do you know your multiplication-table?"

"Yes, sir."

"Step up here, and repeat it."

Without lifting his eyes Guly obeyed; and stepping for