He had not calculated upon such a prompt acceptance of his resignation. He felt that he presented an absurd appearance, and that the foreman did not appear to his usual bluff advantage. "Come this way," said the latter to Dennis, who followed him into his office with a strange sinking at heart. "I did not mean to hand over everything right off!" exclaimed Dennis. "Well," replied the foreman, "Phil's wife came here early this mornin' an' put up a few tears, an' Phil made all sorts av promises; an' you have no children an' he has, an--oh, the divil!" cried the foreman, weary of the series of explanations in which he was getting involved. "I can't kape th' two av ye, an' Phil there is an ould hand at th' paint-pot." "Then," cried Dennis, "you mean that I must leave at once?" "That's about th' size of it." "Why," exclaimed Dennis, indignant at this injustice, "I tried to be fair with you, and you haven't----" "Here," interrupted the foreman, in evident haste to conclude a disagreeable interview; "there's no use talking about it, it's got to be done"; and turning to a drawer in the desk he extracted Monday's pay and placed it in the young man's hand. At that moment a burly porter filled up the doorway. "What is it?" asked the foreman, glad of the interruption, as he hastened, with unnecessary and suspicious promptness, to attend to the wants of the intruder. In a little while Dennis realized that he waited in vain for the return of the foreman, and that, in so far as he was concerned, he was out of a job. Dennis had been, at various times in his life, subjected to some rugged experiences, but could not recall any treatment quite so heartless as this. It upset all his calculations. He must exist somehow between the unhappy realities of the present and the blissful expectations of the approaching Monday. He recalled, with the self-accusation of a repentant prodigal, his needlessly elaborate breakfast, the extravagance of the necktie. His return led him past the cheap amusement district of the Bowery. Never had their tawdry invitations seemed so alluring. By that singular perversity which opens up every suggestion of riotous expenditure to destitution, the poor fellow felt inclined to indulge himself regardless. An obese nymph pictured in the foam of a beer sign, apparently elaborated with a whitewash brush and finished in the throes of an epileptic fit, solicited a share of his patronage. Long rows of slot machines offered all sorts of libidinous suggestions in placards, which proposed to debauch his morals for a penny a sight. And with absurd propriety a vender of shoddy jewels presented the chance of his lifetime in bizarre decoration. But somehow Dennis reached Broadway at last, and faced the unpleasant prospect of the next few days with despairing calculation.