"Go on, Katy; I may expect anything after what you have said," replied Simon, with all the coolness and indifference he could command. "He said he believed you were a worthless fellow. Then he told me to meet him at the store of the Messrs. Sands & Co., and he would inquire about you." "Then you went to the store?" "We did; and when the mayor asked Mr. Sands about you, he said you were honest, and did your work well, but----" "Notice that remark particularly. I hope you called the mayor's attention to it," interrupted Master Simon. "What else did he say?" "He said you were a nuisance----" "Observe how far his prejudices carried him. That man believed, if I stayed in the store, that I should supplant him and his partner. You see how far he carried his spite." "But he said all the good he could of you Simon," said Katy. "He said you were honest and did your work well." "Can a nuisance be honest, and do work well? Hath not a Jew eyes?" queried Mr. Simon, with dramatic fervor. "He didn't say anything about Jews." "I was quoting Shakspeare, the immortal bard of Avon. Katy, Sands knew that I was securing the respect and esteem of all his customers; and he knew very well if I should step into a rival establishment, I should take half his trade with me," continued the injured Sneed. "He said his customers were disgusted with you. You talked so big and thought so much of yourself, he would not have you in the store at any price. But I should think that Runn & Reed would be glad to have you if you can carry so much trade with you." "They cannot know till I have had a chance to show them what I can do." "I hope you will soon have such a chance." "There is one thing about it; when I do, Sands & Co. will see the mistake they have made. I think the ladies that visit their store will miss a familiar face. They used to insist upon my waiting upon them, though it was not exactly in the line of my duty to sell goods. Often was I called away from the bundle department to attend them. No one seemed to suit them but me. Why, it was only the day before I left that an elegant, aristocratic lady from Beacon Street made me go clear home with her." "Why, what for?" "To carry her bundle; but that was all a pretense." "Did she invite you to tea, Master Simon?" asked Katy, who could hardly help laughing in his face. "No, but she kept me quarter of an hour at the door." "What did she say?" "She was trying to make it out that I had brought the wrong bundle, and so she opened it, in the entry; but it was only to keep me there." "You think she was smitten?" laughed Katy. "I have an opinion," replied Simon, sagely. "There are a good many fine ladies will miss my face."