Hunter?"

"I haven't had any presents from any of my lady friends yet," said Dick.
"Perhaps I may some time."

"You don't mean anybody in particular, of course, Mr. Hunter?" said Miss
Peyton.

"Oh, no, of course not."

This conversation may seem scarcely worth recording, but it will serve
to illustrate the character of Dick's fellow-boarders. Miss Peyton was
rather silly and affected, but she was good-natured, and Dick felt more
at home with her than he would have done had she been a lady like Mrs.
Rockwell, for instance. It got to be the custom with Dick and Fosdick to
remain in the parlor a short time after supper, or rather dinner, for
this was the third meal, and Fosdick joined the young lady in singing.
Dick unfortunately had not been gifted by nature with a voice attuned to
melody, and he participated only as a listener, in which capacity he
enjoyed the entertainment.

After breakfast Dick set out for the store as usual. He felt unusually
happy and independent as he walked along. The check in his pocket made
him feel rich. He wondered how it would be best to invest his money so
as to yield him the largest return. He wisely decided to take Mr.
Murdock, the head clerk, into his confidence, and ask his advice upon
this point.

When Dick arrived at the store neither Mr. Gilbert nor Mr. Murdock had
yet arrived. Half an hour later the latter came, and five minutes after
him the book-keeper.

The latter noticed that the morning paper appeared to have been
disturbed, and, glad of any opportunity to find fault with Dick, said,
angrily, "So you've been reading the paper instead of minding your work,
have you? I'll report you to Mr. Rockwell."

"Thank you," said Dick, "you're very kind. Are you sure I read the
paper? Is there any news missin' out of it?"

"You're an impudent boy," said the book-keeper, provoked. He wanted to
overawe Dick; but somehow Dick wouldn't be overawed. Evidently he did
not entertain as much respect for the book-keeper as that gentleman felt
to be his due. That a mere errand-boy should bandy words with a
gentleman in his position seemed to Mr. Gilbert highly reprehensible.

"You're an impudent boy!" repeated Gilbert, sharply, finding Dick did
not reply to his first charge.

"I heard you make that remark before," said Dick, quietly.

Now there was nothing out of the way in Dick's tone, which was perfectly
respectful, and he only stated a fact; but the book-keeper became still
more angr