I will
go up and see Mr. Mann in a little while--just as soon as I finish my
morning's work. Will you go along?"
"If you think I ought to. Mr. Mann wanted me to get out though, and
talked as if he didn't want to see me again."
"Never mind. Everybody is entitled to a hearing, and Mr. Mann is
probably laboring under a false impression."
In half an hour the two were on the way. Richard's heart beat quickly
as they walked along, for in some manner Mr. Joyce's presence inspired
him with confidence.
When they reached the store Mr. Mann had gone out for lunch. In a few
minutes, however, he returned. He greeted Mr. Joyce with cold
politeness, and then frowned openly upon Richard.
"Say, Mel, what's the trouble here?" began Mr. Joyce, diving right
into the subject at hand. "My young friend says he has been discharged
without warning."
"We have paid him his week's wages," replied Mr. Mann stiffly.
"So he says, but he wants to know why you discharged him. He says you
acted as if something was wrong."
"Well, something _is_ wrong," admitted the book-merchant; and
then he added in an undertone: "I meant to send you word about it. I
don't care to have the boy aware how much or how little I do know.
Send him out, and I'll tell you the whole affair.
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