CHAPTER XXIX. THE BOOK-KEEPER'S TRIUMPH.

 In less time than was anticipated Mr. Bradford came to the office, his arm being so far well that it no longer gave him any trouble.

The book-keeper did not delay long to open his batteries upon Paul. On the second day, our hero being out, Manson began:

"I would like to say a few words to you, Mr. Bradford, about the new boy."

"About Paul?" asked Mr. Bradford, lifting his eyes from the morning paper.

"Yes, sir."

"Very well, proceed."

"I can't say I am satisfied with him, sir."

"Indeed! What is the matter?"

"He is not respectful to me."

"Indeed!"

"I may say he is positively¹ impudent² at times."

"That surprises me. He seems to me very unlikely to be guilty of such offenses³."

[Pg 212]"I dare say; he is very artful. I presume he is very respectful to you. That is policy."

"I should suppose he would consider it politic⁴ to be respectful to you also, Mr. Manson."

"All the other boys have, but this boy puts on a great many airs. In fact, he is mighty⁵ independent. I suppose it is on account of the extremely high wages he receives."

"Yes, ten dollars is very high pay for a boy of his age," admitted Mr. Bradford.

"Of course he doesn't earn it. He doesn't earn half as much."

"You may be right. I should not be inclined to pay another boy nearly as much."

Mr. Manson was sorry to hear this, as, could he obtain the position for Julius at ten dollars a week, his young nephew had agreed to pay him a commission of two dollars a week, which the book-keeper, being fond of money, was not above accepting.

"Have you any other complaints to make about Paul?" asked Mr. Bradford. "Doesn't he attend to his duties?"

"Fairly well," Manson admitted, reluctantly, the fact being that there had never been a boy in the office so efficient as our hero, the ex-train boy.

"Humph! I am glad to hear that."

[Pg 213]"Still it is of course disagreeable to have a boy under me who treats me with insolence⁶."

"Do I understand, then, that you would prefer to have a change?" inquired the manufacturer.

"I don't want to make any trouble, sir," said the book-keeper, who could be polite enough to his employer, "but I should really be glad to have another boy in Paul's place."

"Very well. I have been thinking of making a change myself."

Manson could hardly believe his ears. He had entertained very small hope of effecting his purpose, and Mr. Bradford's ready acquiescence⁷ in his wishes filled him with delight.

"If I might venture the suggestion," he added, encouraged by his success, "I should be glad if you would give the place to my nephew Julius."

"I don't know how Julius will suit me," said Mr. Bradford, "but I will try him for a week."

"At ten dollars a week?" suggested Mr. Manson.

"At four dollars a week!" replied the manufacturer, with emphasis. "That is all boys of his age usually get. There were special reasons why I paid Paul more."

Manson was disappointed that Julius should be paid only ordinary boys' wages, but still it was a great[Pg 214] triumph to have Paul discharged, and Julius put in his place.

"Now," he said to himself, "I've the whip-hand of the young rascal⁸. I'll pay him off."

"Shall I tell him, sir, when he comes in?" asked the book-keeper.

"No; I propose to tell him myself. Send him in to me when he gets back from his errand."

"Yes, sir, I will," promptly⁹ responded the book-keeper, resuming his own work with a satisfied smile.

Ten minutes later Paul came in from the post office, bringing the afternoon mail.

1 positively   

adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实

参考例句：

• She was positively glowing with happiness.她满脸幸福。
• The weather was positively poisonous.这天气着实讨厌。

2 impudent   

adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的

参考例句：

• She's tolerant toward those impudent colleagues.她对那些无礼的同事采取容忍的态度。
• The teacher threatened to kick the impudent pupil out of the room.老师威胁着要把这无礼的小学生撵出教室。

3 offenses   

n.进攻( offense的名词复数 )；（球队的）前锋；进攻方法；攻势

参考例句：

• It's wrong of you to take the child to task for such trifling offenses. 因这类小毛病责备那孩子是你的不对。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Thus, Congress cannot remove an executive official except for impeachable offenses. 因此，除非有可弹劾的行为，否则国会不能罢免行政官员。 来自英汉非文学 - 行政法

4 politic   

adj.有智虑的；精明的；v.从政

参考例句：

• He was too politic to quarrel with so important a personage.他很聪明，不会与这么重要的人争吵。
• The politic man tried not to offend people.那个精明的人尽量不得罪人。

5 mighty   

adj.强有力的；巨大的

参考例句：

• A mighty force was about to break loose.一股巨大的力量即将迸发而出。
• The mighty iceberg came into view.巨大的冰山出现在眼前。

6 insolence   

n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度

参考例句：

• I've had enough of your insolence, and I'm having no more. 我受够了你的侮辱，不能再容忍了。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• How can you suffer such insolence? 你怎么能容忍这种蛮横的态度？ 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 acquiescence   

n.默许；顺从

参考例句：

• The chief inclined his head in sign of acquiescence.首领点点头表示允许。
• This is due to his acquiescence.这是因为他的默许。

8 rascal   

n.流氓；不诚实的人

参考例句：

• If he had done otherwise,I should have thought him a rascal.如果他不这样做，我就认为他是个恶棍。
• The rascal was frightened into holding his tongue.这坏蛋吓得不敢往下说了。

9 promptly   

adv.及时地，敏捷地

参考例句：

• He paid the money back promptly.他立即还了钱。
• She promptly seized the opportunity his absence gave her.她立即抓住了因他不在场给她创造的机会。