Joe pulled off his coat and put on the stained one.  The sleeves were from two to three inches too short, and it was so far from meeting in front, on account of his being much broader than Oscar, that his shoulders seemed drawn back to meet each other behind.

“It doesn’t exactly fit,” said the major; “but it can be let out easily.  I will send it to Miss Pearce—­the village tailoress—­to fix it over for you.”

“Thank you, Major Norton,” said Joe, in a decided tone, “but I hope you won’t go to that expense, for I shall not be willing to wear it under any circumstances.”

“I cannot believe my ears,” said Major Norton, with dignified displeasure.  “How old are you, Joseph?”

“Fifteen, sir.”

“It is not fitting that you, a boy of fifteen, should dictate to your employer.”

“I don’t wish to, Major Norton, but I am not willing to wear that suit.”

“You are too proud.  Your pride needs taking down.”

“Major Norton,” said Joe firmly, “I should like to tell you how I feel.  You are my employer, and I am your hired boy.  I try to do my duty by you.”

“You are a good boy to work, Joseph.  I don’t complain of that.”

“You agreed to give me board and clothing for my services.”

“So I have.”

“Yes, sir; but you have dressed me in such a way that I attract attention in the street for my shabbiness.  I don’t think I am very proud, but I have been mortified! more than once when I saw people looking at my patched clothes and shoes out at the toes.  I think if I work faithfully I ought to be dressed decently.”

“Joseph,” said Major Norton uneasily, “you look at the thing too one-sided.  You don’t expect me to dress you like Oscar?”

“No, sir; I don’t.  If you would spend half as much for my clothes as you do for Oscar’s I would be contented.”

“It seems to me you are very inconsistent.  Here is a suit of clothes that cost me thirty-four dollars, which I offer you, and you decline.”

“You know why well enough, sir,” said Joe, “You did not tell me you intended to dress me in Oscar’s castoff clothes, too small, and stained at that.  I would rather wear the patched suit I have on till it drops to pieces than wear this suit.”

“You can go, Joseph,” said Major Norton, in a tone of annoyance.  “I did not expect to find you so unreasonable.  If you do not choose to take what I offer you, you will have to go without.”

“Very well, sir.”

Joe left the room, his face flushed and his heart full of indignation at the slight which had been attempted on him.

“It is Oscar’s doings, I have no doubt,” he said to himself.  “It is like his meanness.  He meant to mortify me.”

If there had been any doubt in Joe’s mind, it would soon have been cleared up.  Oscar had been lying in wait for his appearance, and managed to meet him as he went out into the yard.