so recently met, Larry Deane, and he resolved to see if he could not
help him by an appeal to Allan Roscoe.

"Mr. Roscoe," said he, quickly, "I nearly forgot something I want very
much to say to you."

"What is it?" asked his guardian, suspiciously. It occurred to him that
Hector wished to borrow some money, and he was considering how little he
could decently give him.

"I hear you have discharged Reuben Deane from his position?"

"How did you hear it?"

"From his son, Larry."

"Where did you see Larry?" asked Allan, in some curiosity.

"He has been driven to take up that employment which Guy so kindly
recommended to me."

"Larry Deane a bootblack! That's a good one!" exclaimed Guy, with
evident relish.

"I don't think so," said Hector. "The poor boy is picking a poor
living, and sending home what he can to his father, who cannot get new
employment. Mr. Roscoe, why did you discharge him?"

"I can answer that question, though it's none of your business all
the same," volunteered Guy. "The boy Larry was impudent to me, and his
father took his part."

"Mr. Roscoe," said Hector, "Reuben Deane was in my father's employ
before I was born. Larry and I used to play together when we were little
boys, and since when we were older."

"A bootblack is a nice playmate," said Guy, with his usual sneer.

"He was not a bootblack then," retorted Hector, "nor would he be now but
for your mean spite. Mr. Roscoe, as I happen to know, my father always
valued the services of Reuben Deane, and I ask, in his name, that you
give him back his place."

"My brother may have been deceived in him," said Allan Roscoe, coldly,
emphasizing the first two words, in order to remind Hector that he was
no longer to consider him as his father; "but I cannot promise to adopt
all his views and protege's. I have displaced Deane and substituted for
him a gardener with whom I am better pleased."

"Have you no sympathy for the poverty and distress of a man who has
served our family faithfully for so many years?" asked Hector, half
indignantly.

"My father is competent to manage his own affairs," said Guy,
offensively.

"You don't appear to think so, or you would not answer for him,"
retorted Hector.

"Boys, I must request you to desist from this bickering," said Allan
Roscoe. "I am sorry, Hector, that I cannot comply with your request. By
the way, you did not tell me where you were staying."

"With a gentleman on Forty-second Street."