CHAPTER XXVI. MR. BRADFORD'S OFFICE.

 Mr. Bradford was removed to Chicago in the afternoon, and at his luxurious¹ house was considerably² better off than in the farmer's best chamber³.

He had to keep his room for three or four weeks, but the fracture was not a serious one, and though confined to the house he was on the whole very comfortable for a sick man. His sickness did not interfere⁴ with, nor delay the carrying out of his promise to Paul. He arranged to have the train boy enter his service immediately, and to that end, on the morning after his removal, dispatched Paul to his counting-house with a verbal message to his book-keeper that Paul was to be employed there.

"It happens," he said to Paul, "that I have really a vacancy⁵ for a boy. The one I have hitherto employed, and who is in fact still in my employ, is to prepare for college in accordance with the wishes of a wealthy uncle, who has offered to defray his expenses, and it is understood that I will release him as soon as I can suit myself with another boy."

[Pg 191]"That is lucky for me," said Paul.

"Yes, things happen favorably for you."

"I hope I shall be able to perform my duties to your satisfaction," said Paul.

"I do not doubt it. There is nothing very difficult, and John (the present boy) can in a single day give you all the information you need. By the by, Mr. Manson, the book-keeper, will be somewhat disappointed, as he wanted the place for his nephew."

"I don't like to stand in the way of any other boy," said Paul, considerately.

"You will not. This nephew—Julius Clay—I happen to know is an unreliable boy, who is disobedient at home, and would not give me satisfaction. In any event I wouldn't take him."

"Won't Mr. Manson be prejudiced against me?" asked Paul.

"He has no right to be. I am under no obligations to employ a boy I have no confidence in, however nearly related he may be to Mr. Manson. In any event I shall be your friend, and I am inclined to think that will be sufficient to save you from annoyance⁶."

Nevertheless Paul, who had some knowledge of human nature, felt sorry that his entrance at the office was likely to prove disagreeable to a man occupying so important a position as the book-keeper.

[Pg 192]"However, Mr. Bradford is my friend," he said to himself, "and I won't trouble myself."

Mr. Manson had, of course, heard of his employer's narrow escape from death, and he had gone up to congratulate him, but had not actually seen him, Mr. Bradford at the time being asleep. He knew nothing of the details of the casualty, except what he had read in the daily papers, and was quite ignorant of Paul's existence even. He therefore had no warning of the engagement which was to bring disappointment to him and his nephew.

About ten o'clock in the morning—for Paul had previously⁷ called by appointment at Mr. Bradford's house—our hero entered that gentleman's counting-room.

Sitting on a high stool was a tall, thin, sallow-complexioned man, who looked to be rather over thirty years of age.

This was Emanuel Manson, the book-keeper.

To do him justice it must be admitted that Mr. Manson was an excellent book-keeper. He understood his business thoroughly⁸, and was rapid and accurate. Personally Mr. Bradford had never liked him, but he appreciated his abilities, and did not allow personal feeling to interfere with retaining him.

"Business is business, and friendship is friendship," the manufacturer said to himself. "There is many a[Pg 193] man whom I would like better, who yet might prove very inefficient⁹ in my business. I should be foolish to discharge Manson."

So Mr. Manson was likely to retain his place so long as he did not offend his employer in any inexcusable way. Mr. Bradford was a mild man, but when he was roused he could act with decision.

Mr. Manson turned on his stool as Paul entered.

"Well, boy, what do you want?" he asked, in a manner that could not be considered affable.

"Is this Mr. Manson?" asked Paul, removing his hat.

"Yes. Why?" demanded the book-keeper, curtly¹⁰.

"I come from Mr. Bradford," said our hero.

"Well, deliver your message, and don't take up my time unnecessarily."

Paul felt that he should dislike him, but answered, politely:

"He has engaged me as office-boy."

"Engaged you!" exclaimed the book-keeper, frowning. "Who are you?"

It was hard to answer politely, but Paul did.

"My name is Paul Palmer," he said, composedly.

"And where did you fall in with Mr. Bradford, pray?"

Paul felt that the book-keeper had no business to ask these questions, but he resolved that, so far as he[Pg 194] was concerned, there should be nothing to complain of, and he responded in the same tone as before:

"On the train."

"And what were you doing on the train, if I may inquire?"

"Selling papers and magazines."

"Oh! a train boy!"

"Yes, sir."

"Have you ever been in a position before?"

"Not in an office."

"What under heaven could induce Mr. Bradford to engage you?" asked the book-keeper, irritably¹¹.

"I must refer you to Mr. Bradford himself," answered Paul, with dignity.

"I shall certainly speak to Mr. Bradford on the subject," said Mr. Manson, significantly. "I am inclined to think there is some mistake. We have a boy already."

"Mr. Bradford told me he wished to leave, and that in a day he would initiate¹² me into my duties."

"Mr. Bradford has about the same as engaged another boy," said the book-keeper, with increasing irritability¹³. "He must have forgotten it."

"I shall be ready to make way for him whenever Mr. Bradford says the word," said Paul, quietly.

Manson was surprised and displeased¹⁴ to find Paul so calm. It was easy to see that he was not a boy who[Pg 195] would allow himself to be bullied¹⁵ or trodden upon. Mr. Manson already hated him for that. He was a natural tyrant¹⁶, and liked to see boys quail¹⁷ under his displeasure. The present boy was a mild, good-natured boy, whom he could easily make nervous. Indeed, John Graves was a boy more fond of study than business, and he hailed the termination of his engagement with the more pleasure, because Mr. Manson found so much fault, and gave him so much discomfort¹⁸.

At that moment John entered. He naturally looked inquiringly at Paul, but he addressed himself to the book-keeper.

"Here is the mail, Mr. Manson," he said.

"Why weren't you gone a week for it?" snarled¹⁹ the book-keeper.

"I went as fast as I could, sir," said John, troubled.

"Didn't you stop to play on the way?"

"No, sir."

"Humph! When I was a boy I could do twice as much in a given time as you. Here is a boy who has been sent to take your place—for the present."

These last words were pronounced with an emphasis which Paul understood, though John did not. He only heard what he considered to be the intelligence of his own release.

[Pg 196]"Then can I go?" he asked, eagerly.

"No; you are to remain through the day to instruct this new boy in his duties."

"All right."

"Go to the bank with these checks, and you, whatever your name is, can go with him."

When the two boys were in the street, John asked, pleasantly:

"What is your name?"

"Paul Palmer. And yours?"

"John Graves. So you are going to be my successor?"

"Yes; I hope you are not sorry to go?"

"Oh, I am delighted. Now I can go to school, and get away from old Manson. But I suppose I ought not to say anything against him to you."

"I have had a little specimen²⁰ of his manners. He doesn't seem to like my coming into the office."

"No; he wanted the place for his nephew, Julius Clay."

"Do you know Julius?"

"Yes; he's just such another as his uncle in temper, but not in ability. Mr. Manson is an excellent book-keeper, but Julius would make a poor office-boy. Do you think you can stand the book-keeper's temper?"

[Pg 197]"I will get along with him as well as I can," answered Paul. "Mr. Bradford is my friend."

"That is good; but you'll hate old Manson before the end of a week."

1 luxurious   

adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的

参考例句：

• This is a luxurious car complete with air conditioning and telephone.这是一辆附有空调设备和电话的豪华轿车。
• The rich man lives in luxurious surroundings.这位富人生活在奢侈的环境中。

2 considerably   

adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上

参考例句：

• The economic situation has changed considerably.经济形势已发生了相当大的变化。
• The gap has narrowed considerably.分歧大大缩小了。

3 chamber   

n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所

参考例句：

• For many,the dentist's surgery remains a torture chamber.对许多人来说，牙医的治疗室一直是间受刑室。
• The chamber was ablaze with light.会议厅里灯火辉煌。

4 interfere   

v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰

参考例句：

• If we interfere, it may do more harm than good.如果我们干预的话，可能弊多利少。
• When others interfere in the affair,it always makes troubles. 别人一卷入这一事件，棘手的事情就来了。

5 vacancy   

n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺

参考例句：

• Her going on maternity leave will create a temporary vacancy.她休产假时将会有一个临时空缺。
• The vacancy of her expression made me doubt if she was listening.她茫然的神情让我怀疑她是否在听。

6 annoyance   

n.恼怒，生气，烦恼

参考例句：

• Why do you always take your annoyance out on me?为什么你不高兴时总是对我出气？
• I felt annoyance at being teased.我恼恨别人取笑我。

7 previously   

adv.以前，先前（地）

参考例句：

• The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
• Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。

8 thoroughly   

adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地

参考例句：

• The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
• The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。

9 inefficient   

adj.效率低的，无效的

参考例句：

• The inefficient operation cost the firm a lot of money.低效率的运作使该公司损失了许多钱。
• Their communication systems are inefficient in the extreme.他们的通讯系统效率非常差。

10 curtly   

adv.简短地

参考例句：

• He nodded curtly and walked away. 他匆忙点了一下头就走了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The request was curtly refused. 这个请求被毫不客气地拒绝了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

11 irritably   

ad.易生气地

参考例句：

• He lost his temper and snapped irritably at the children. 他发火了，暴躁地斥责孩子们。
• On this account the silence was irritably broken by a reproof. 为了这件事，他妻子大声斥责，令人恼火地打破了宁静。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹

12 initiate   

vt.开始，创始，发动；启蒙，使入门；引入

参考例句：

• A language teacher should initiate pupils into the elements of grammar.语言老师应该把基本语法教给学生。
• They wanted to initiate a discussion on economics.他们想启动一次经济学讨论。

13 irritability   

n.易怒

参考例句：

• It was the almost furtive restlessness and irritability that had possessed him. 那是一种一直纠缠着他的隐秘的不安和烦恼。
• All organisms have irritability while alive. 所有生物体活着时都有应激性。

14 displeased   

a.不快的

参考例句：

• The old man was displeased and darted an angry look at me. 老人不高兴了，瞪了我一眼。
• He was displeased about the whole affair. 他对整个事情感到很不高兴。

15 bullied   

adj.被欺负了v.恐吓，威逼( bully的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• My son is being bullied at school. 我儿子在学校里受欺负。
• The boy bullied the small girl into giving him all her money. 那男孩威逼那个小女孩把所有的钱都给他。 来自《简明英汉词典》

16 tyrant   

n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人

参考例句：

• The country was ruled by a despotic tyrant.该国处在一个专制暴君的统治之下。
• The tyrant was deaf to the entreaties of the slaves.暴君听不到奴隶们的哀鸣。

17 quail   

n.鹌鹑；vi.畏惧，颤抖

参考例句：

• Cowards always quail before the enemy.在敌人面前，胆小鬼们总是畏缩不前的。
• Quail eggs are very high in cholesterol.鹌鹑蛋胆固醇含量高。

18 discomfort   

n.不舒服，不安，难过，困难，不方便

参考例句：

• One has to bear a little discomfort while travelling.旅行中总要忍受一点不便。
• She turned red with discomfort when the teacher spoke.老师讲话时她不好意思地红着脸。

19 snarled   

v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说

参考例句：

• The dog snarled at us. 狗朝我们低声吼叫。
• As I advanced towards the dog, It'snarled and struck at me. 我朝那条狗走去时，它狂吠着向我扑来。 来自《简明英汉词典》

20 specimen   

n.样本，标本

参考例句：

• You'll need tweezers to hold up the specimen.你要用镊子来夹这标本。
• This specimen is richly variegated in colour.这件标本上有很多颜色。