e, whose salary
is very small. I pay the whole of the rent and I have paid for some
clothes for him."

"You are spending your money very foolishly," said Jasper frowning.

"Would I spend it any less foolishly if I should lend you ten dollars?"

"There is some difference between Mike Flynn and me. I am a gentleman."

"So is Mike."

"A queer sort of gentleman! He is only a poor telegraph boy."

"Still he is a gentleman."

"I should think you might have money enough for both of us."

"I might but I want to save something from my salary. I don't know how
long I shall be earning as much. I might lose my place."

"So you might."

"And I could hardly expect to get another where the pay would be as
good."

"I would pay you on installment--a dollar a week," urged Jasper.

"I don't see how you could, as you say your pay is too small for you
now."

"Oh, well, I could manage."

"I am afraid I can't oblige you, Jasper," said Rodney in a decided tone.

"I didn't think you were so miserly," answered Jasper in vexation.

"You may call it so, if you like. You must remember that I am not
situated like you. You have your uncle to fall back upon in case you
lose your position, but I have no one. I have to hustle for myself."

"Oh, you needn't make any more excuses. I suppose ten dollars is rather
a large sum to lend. Can you lend me five?"

"I am sorry, but I must refuse you."

Jasper rose from the chair on which he had been sitting.

"Then I may as well go," he said. "I am disappointed in you, Ropes. I
thought you were a good, whole souled fellow, and not a miser."

"You must think of me as you please, Jasper. I feel that I have a right
to regulate my own affairs."

"All I have to say is this, if you lose your place as you may very soon,
don't come round to the store and expect to be taken back."

"I won't," answered Rodney, smiling. "I wouldn't go back at any rate
unless the charge of theft was withdrawn."

"That will never be!"

"Let it be so, as long as I am innocent."

Jasper left the room abruptly, not even having the politeness to bid
Rodney good evening.

Rodney felt that he was quite justified in refusing to lend Jasper
money. Had he been in need he would have obliged him, though he had no
reason to look upon him as a friend.

No one who knew Rodney could regard him as mean or miserly. Could he
have read Jasper's thoughts as he left the house he would have felt even
less regret at disappointing