The boy is not so
innocent as he looks."
"Bosh! I told you before I knew an honest face when I saw it, and I'll
wager he's as honest as the day is long. Dare," continued Mr. Joyce,
turning to Richard, "just go outside in the store and wait for me."
"Yes, sir."
Richard went out as directed. In the short time that he had been with
Williams & Mann he had come but little in contact with the clerks
downstairs, and they hardly knew him, and now allowed him to stand
around as though he was a stranger.
The dismissal made him feel strange, too. He wished he could go upstairs
to Frank, but he did not know how soon Mr. Joyce might want him. He
wondered how Frank was getting along, and who the firm would get to
help him.
A short half hour passed. It seemed like an age to Richard.
Then the private office door opened and Mr. Joyce called for him to
come in.
Hardly knowing what to expect, the boy entered. Mr. Joyce closed the
door carefully behind him.
"Well, Dare," began Mr. Mann, "we have talked your case over pretty
thoroughly, and while there are some things in your conduct that I
don't like, yet I admit that perhaps I was hasty in judging you. I did
not care to explain all I know for reasons you may learn later. You
may go to work again if you wish.
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