What is the matter
now?"
"I don't like my present situation, Mr. Melleville!"
"Ah! Well? What's the trouble? Have you and Jasper had a
misunderstanding?"
"Oh no! Nothing of that. We get on well enough together. But I don't
think its a good place for a young man to be in, sir!"
"Why not?"
"I can be plain with you. In a word, Mr. Jasper is not an honest
dealer; and he expects his clerks to do pretty much as he does."
Mr. Melleville shook his head and looked grave.
"To tell the truth," continued Edward, "I have suffered myself to
fall, almost insensibly, into his way of doing business, until I have
become an absolute cheat--taking, sometimes, double and treble profit
from a customer who happened to be ignorant about prices."
"Edward!" exclaimed the old man, an expression of painful surprise
settling on his countenance.
"It is all too true, Mr. Melleville--all too true. And I don't think
it good for me to remain with Mr. Jasper."
"What does he give you now?"
"The same as at first. Five hundred dollars."
The old man bent his head and thought for a few moments.
"His system of unfair dealing toward his customers is your principal
objection to Mr. Jasper?"
"That is one objection, and a very serious one, too: particularly as
I am required to be as unjust to customers as himself.
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