CHAPTER XXXI. PAUL AND HIS SUCCESSOR.

 About eleven o'clock the next forenoon Paul, after making some necessary arrangements, took his way toward Mr. Bradford's counting-room.

As he turned into State street he encountered Julius, who had already entered upon the duties of his office. Naturally, Julius adopted his uncle's theory, that Paul had given dissatisfaction and been discharged, and, as he bore no good will to our hero, he was gratified at the thought.

"Hallo!" he called out, not averse¹ to exulting² over his predecessor³.

"Good-morning, Julius," said Paul, affably.

"I've got your place," said Julius, not attempting to conceal⁴ his satisfaction.

"Yes," answered Paul.

"He doesn't seem to mind it," commented Julius to himself. "I suppose he is too proud to show me how he feels."

"What did the old man bounce you for?" asked Julius, rather curious on the subject.

[Pg 223]"You must ask him," said Paul, still pleasantly.

"My uncle always told me you wouldn't stay," said Julius.

"Perhaps he got me turned off," suggested Paul.

"I reckon he did. He didn't like you much."

"No; there wasn't much love lost between us."

"Where are you going now?"

"Round to the office."

"What for?"

"To see Mr. Bradford."

"If you want him to take you on again," said Julius, rather uneasily, "you might as well give it up. He won't do it."

"Are you quite sure?"

"Oh, yes," answered Julius, hurriedly; "my uncle wouldn't let him do it."

"I thought Mr. Bradford was boss, not your uncle," Paul ventured to observe.

"He'll let my uncle choose the office-boy, and of course uncle Emanuel prefers me."

"Don't be alarmed, Julius. I won't try to deprive you of your place. Still I want to see Mr. Bradford."

"Oh, I know what you want," said Julius, nodding.

"Suppose you tell me?"

"You want Mr. Bradford to give you a recommendation, so you can get another place."

"You are sharp, Julius," said Paul, laughing.

[Pg 224]"It doesn't take much sharpness to see that."

"Where are you going?"

"To the post-office."

"Very well. We may meet in the office. Good-morning."

"I don't understand that boy," said Julius to himself. "Anybody would think he was all right, instead of having lost his place and a salary of ten dollars a week. It's awful mean of the old man to pay me only four. I'm worth as much as Paul any day."

Such was the idea of Julius, and he was by no means singular in thinking well of himself. That is rather common among men as well as boys.

Paul went on his way and soon reached the office.

The book-keeper turned his head as he entered.

When his eyes rested on Paul he frowned.

"You back again?" he said.

"I am back again, Mr. Manson," replied Paul, composedly.

"What do you want?" asked Manson, rudely.

"My business is not with you, but with Mr. Bradford," answered Paul, coldly.

"It appears to me you have no business whatever in this office after being discharged," continued Manson.

"It is plain Mr. Bradford doesn't tell you all his affairs," said Paul.

[Pg 225]"What do you mean by that?"

"I am still in Mr. Bradford's employ, though not as office-boy."

"Is this true?" asked Manson, in a tone of unpleasant surprise.

"Yes, sir. I am here now by Mr. Bradford's appointment."

The book-keeper's countenance⁵ fell. Where now was his triumph? As the post of office-boy was the lowest in the establishment, it was clear Paul had been promoted, and the book-keeper would no longer have the satisfaction of ordering him about or giving him annoyance⁶.

1 averse   

adj.厌恶的；反对的，不乐意的

参考例句：

• I don't smoke cigarettes,but I'm not averse to the occasional cigar.我不吸烟，但我不反对偶尔抽一支雪茄。
• We are averse to such noisy surroundings.我们不喜欢这么吵闹的环境。

2 exulting   

vi. 欢欣鼓舞，狂喜

参考例句：

• He leaned back, exulting at the success of his plan. 他向后一靠，为自己计划成功而得意扬扬。
• Jones was exulting in the consciousness of his integrity. 琼斯意识到自己的忠贞十分高兴。

3 predecessor   

n.前辈，前任

参考例句：

• It will share the fate of its predecessor.它将遭受与前者同样的命运。
• The new ambassador is more mature than his predecessor.新大使比他的前任更成熟一些。

4 conceal   

v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽

参考例句：

• He had to conceal his identity to escape the police.为了躲避警方，他只好隐瞒身份。
• He could hardly conceal his joy at his departure.他几乎掩饰不住临行时的喜悦。

5 countenance   

n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同

参考例句：

• At the sight of this photograph he changed his countenance.他一看见这张照片脸色就变了。
• I made a fierce countenance as if I would eat him alive.我脸色恶狠狠地，仿佛要把他活生生地吞下去。

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。