"The more need, then, of making an example for their benefit. Take your place, sir; you have a fortnight's warning to find another situation, and quit." With cheeks glowing with anger and fierce resentment, Quirk went back to his place, knowing there was no use in arguing the matter with such a man as Delancey; who had, in fact, acted entirely upon Wilkins' suggestion; whereas the others would no doubt have shared the same fate, had he acted upon his own. The head clerk had laid the whole matter before him exactly as it was, quietly throwing in his own advice and ideas on the subject, and there were reasons why Mr. Delancey didn't choose to differ very materially from what his head clerk said. After he had dismissed Quirk, the merchant every now and then turned his eye upon Wilkins' room door, as if he fain would enter there could he possibly do so without being seen. Unconsciously, as it were, Mr. Delancey had that morning missed the bright young brow and gentle eyes, which in all his moods never had failed to show him the respect of an obeisance and a greeting regularly upon his entrance. There was an uprightness and nobleness too, characterizing Guly's every deed which the merchant had not failed to observe, and which had created a respect and esteem for the boy even in that obdurate heart. Mr. Delancey stepped down from his high desk, and began to traverse the space between it and the long windows. But every turn brought him nearer and nearer to the little bed-room door, and at last, certain that he was unobserved, he laid his hand upon the knob and slipped in. If ever the merchant displayed his awkwardness, it was in a sick room; the knowledge of which fact, perhaps, made him so rare a frequenter of such places. As he stopped at Guly's bedside, with his long fingers pressed down among the pillows, the boy opened his eyes, and looked up in his face with a smile, expecting to see Wilkins or Arthur. He was greatly surprised at seeing his employer, but immediately extended his hand and said: "Is it possible 'tis you, Mr. Delancey? This is an unexpected pleasure." Mr. Delancey took the proffered hand in his, held it loosely for a moment in his bony fingers, as if unaccustomed to holding friendly hands, then let it drop back again upon the bed-clothes. "Why is my presence so unexpected? Don't you suppose I ever look in on sick clerks?" "I certainly hope so, sir; I scarcely expected it in my case; but I am very happy to be disappointed--sit down sir?" The merchant seated himself, and said: "So you got in a row last night." "In _trouble_, sir; most unfortunately. I hope that it is the last case of the kind." "Yes, bad to have your place empty--want all my men at their posts. Get about as soon as you can. Be up to-morrow, I 'spose?" "Yes, sir, God willing." "God willing! Do you always put that in?" said Mr. Delancey, half rising from his chair, then reseating himself. "Yes, sir, always."