Page 38 (1/1)

Mr Arnot had becory with his clerk, who, instead of being overwhelhty and even defiant One of the strongest impulses of this man was to crush out of those in his employ a spirit of independence and individual self-assertion The idea of a part of his businesstumult in his own house! He proposed to instantly cast away the cause of friction, and insert a -wheel in Haldane's place

But when his wife said, in a tone which she rarely used: "Mr Arnot, before anything further is said upon this matter, I would like to see you in your library"--he followed her without a word

Before the library door closed, however, he could not forbear snarling

"I told you that your having this big spoiled boy as an inmate of the house would not ell"

"He has been offering himself to Laura, has he not?" she said quietly

"I suppose that is the way in which you would explain his absurd, maudlin words A pitiful offer it hich she, like a sensible girl, declined without thanks"

"What course do you propose to take toward Haldane?"

"I was on the point of sending hi that he re more than a fast, foolish boy As yet I see no reason for acting differently"

"On just what grounds do you propose to discharge hi in his persecution of Laura and his i Haldane is your clerk, he enjoys a social position quite equal to that which a son of ours would possess, did we have one Though his course toward Laura has been crude and boyish, I have yet to learn that there has been anything dishonorable Laura is to us a child; to hiirl, and his sudden passion for her is, perhaps, one of the s in the world Besides, an affair of this kind should bepassion You are angry now; you will see that I a At all events, the nairl, ossip of the town A man Do you wish to have it the town talk that he has been discharged because he ventured to compliment your niece with the offer of his hand? That he has been premature and rash is chiefly the fault of his years and temperament; but no serious trouble need follow unless we make it ourselves Laura will return ho fellow is dealt isely and kindly, this episodea sensible ine tenfold more than has occurred, and they may surmise positive evil"