“Still you have a nice home, and I suppose you have most of your salary to yourself.”

“Yes, but there isn’t much margin in seven dollars.  My uncle expects me to buy my own clothes.  You were lucky to get out of the store.  Old Goodnow ought to give me ten dollars.”

“Don’t let him hear you speak of him as old Goodnow, Jasper.”

“Oh, I’m smart enough for that.  I mean to keep on the right side of the old chap.  What sort of a man are you working for?”

“Mr. Sargent is a fine man.”

“He isn’t mean certainly.  I should like to be in your shoes.”

“If I hear of any similar position shall I mention your name?” asked Rodney, smiling.

“No; I could not take care of a kid.  I hate them.”

“Still Arthur is a nice boy.”

“You are welcome to him.  What do you have to teach?”

“He is studying Latin and French, besides English branches.”

“I know about as much of Latin and French as a cow.  I couldn’t be a teacher.  I say, Rodney,” and Jasper cleared his throat, “I want you to do me a favor.”

“What is it?”

“I want you to lend me ten dollars.”

Rodney was not mean, but he knew very well that a loan to Jasper would be a permanent one.  Had Jasper been his friend even this consideration would not have inspired a refusal, but he knew very well that Jasper had not a particle of regard for him.

“I don’t think I can oblige you, Jasper,” he said.

“Why not?  You get fifteen dollars a week.”

“My expenses are considerable.  Besides I am helping Mike, whose salary is very small.  I pay the whole of the rent and I have paid for some clothes for him.”

“You are spending your money very foolishly,” said Jasper frowning.

“Would I spend it any less foolishly if I should lend you ten dollars?”

“There is some difference between Mike Flynn and me.  I am a gentleman.”

“So is Mike.”

“A queer sort of gentleman!  He is only a poor telegraph boy.”

“Still he is a gentleman.”

“I should think you might have money enough for both of us.”

“I might but I want to save something from my salary.  I don’t know how long I shall be earning as much.  I might lose my place.”

“So you might.”

“And I could hardly expect to get another where the pay would be as good.”

“I would pay you on installment—­a dollar a week,” urged Jasper.

“I don’t see how you could, as you say your pay is too small for you now.”

“Oh, well, I could manage.”

“I am afraid I can’t oblige you, Jasper,” said Rodney in a decided tone.

“I didn’t think you were so miserly,” answered Jasper in vexation.

“You may call it so, if you like.  You must remember that I am not situated like you.  You have your uncle to fall back upon in case you lose your position, but I have no one.  I have to hustle for myself.”