I speak to you?" said Alison.

"Certainly, my dear, certainly; come this way. She has found out who
the thief is, and will come back once more," muttered the manager to
himself. "She's the best and most attractive shopwoman I ever had; she
shall come back immediately after Christmas."

He hurried Alison through the shop into his own little counting-house.
He shut the door then, and asked her to seat herself.

"How are you?" he said, fixing his eyes with a sort of coarse
admiration on her face. "You have got at the truth of this miserable
matter, have you not? Now, I wonder who the thief is, eh? Well, all I
can say is this: I am right glad that you know. We miss you, Miss
Reed, in the shop. Your services have been of great value to us. I
shall have the person who took that money prosecuted; there's not the
least doubt about that. Your character will be abundantly cleared, and
you can resume your post here immediately after the Christmas holidays."

"I thought," said Alison, "that you had got someone else to fill my
place."

"So I have, so I have--that Jenkins girl--the daughter of poor Tom
Jenkins, who died in the autumn; but, bless you, she's no good; she
don't even know the meaning of drawing on a customer! You see, Miss
Reed, I don't mean to flatter you, but you have got the tact, and just
when the sales are beginning you will be invaluable. I can offer you a
percentage on all the remnants you dispose of. Come, now, that's a
bargain; you'll be right welcome back. You have got tact, and if I may
be allowed to say so--_looks_."

Here the manager gave Alison another broad stare.

"By the way, who is the thief?" he continued.

"You quite misunderstand me, sir," said Alison. "I have not found the
thief--I have not the faintest idea who stole that money; I only know
that I did not, and that nothing will induce me to set foot again in
this shop as one of the staff until I am cleared."

"Then, my good girl, may I ask what in the world you are wasting my
time for?"

He approached the door of his tiny counting-house, and half opened it
as he spoke.

"One minute, sir, please. Although I cannot of course come here, I
naturally want to get another situation."

"I dare say; but that is not my affair."

"Oh, yes, please, sir, it is! I have just heard of a very good post in
Oxford Street. I saw the manager this morning, and he said that he
would give me the situation if you could recommend me. Will