Joyce's face betrayed resentment, anger, pity and curiosity, all
in one.
"But believe me, sir, I am not to blame," went on Richard hastily. "I
have done my work, and more, faithfully, and Mr. Mann would give no
reason for discharging me."
"But there must have been some reason," exclaimed the leather merchant
flatly. "No one sends away an efficient clerk without cause."
"Well, I can't make it out," replied the boy. "That's the reason I
came to you. I'm sure I haven't done anything wrong, and I haven't
been negligent."
Richard's earnest manner had its full effect upon Mr. Joyce.
"Well, tell me your story," he said. "Tell me every word of the plain
truth. Unless you do that I can't help you a bit."
So Richard told of everything that had happened since he had gone to
work--of his intimacy with the Massanets, his acquaintanceship with
Earle Norris, the adventure at the Laurel Club, and all. Mr. Joyce
listened in silence until the boy's story was concluded.
Then he put a number of questions, to make sure that nothing had been
left out or covered up.
"I can't see how you are to blame," he said at the last. "You did wrong
not to let some one know how this Norris had treated you, but you have
done nothing, as far as I can make out, to warrant dismissal.
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