"That's right, Harris!" said another voice; "pay him out for his beastly, selfish ill-nature!"
"Will you lend me the book, Harris?" again demanded Jack, in tones which I could tell were fast losing their calmness.
"No, I won't! and what's more, shut up your row!" replied Harris.
There was a pause, then I heard Jack get off his stool and march boldly to the door. He came out and passed solemnly through our office to the door of Mr Barnacle's room, which he entered.
Next moment Mr Barnacle came out, very red in the face, and demanded, in a loud voice, "Who is it using the entry-book? Didn't you hear me say the copies were to be made at once, sir? Let Smith have the book."
"It's on his desk," replied Harris, meekly. "I was only ruling off the last line, to show where the account ended."
"Copy it at once," said Mr Barnacle, sharply; "the papers have to be down before twelve, and here's five minutes wasted already."
Smith silently went to work, and Mr Barnacle withdrew.
"Vile young sneak!" I heard Harris say; "I'll pay you out for that!"
"I didn't want to sneak. You should have given me the book," replied Jack solemnly.
"I'll give you _something_, see if I don't!" was the reply.
I believe Jack did receive this promised something. He did not come out at mid-day till late, and then he was pale and flurried.
"Been doing his best," replied Jack, gloomily. "I don't much care for him."
This was quite enough. I could guess what it meant.
"I suppose you think I was a fearful sneak?" said Jack.
I had, I must confess, felt a little doubtful on the subject; but, then, what else could he have done?
"I'm sorry I did it now," said Jack solemnly; "I sha'n't do it again."
"I shall have to knock Harris down, I suppose," said Jack, so seriously that I stared at him in bewilderment.
Without doubt my poor chum was preparing a warm time for himself with the Imports at Merrett, Barnacle, and Company's!
That same evening he entered on his new quarters at Mrs Nash's, greatly to my joy, and greatly to the disgust of everybody else.
Horncastle, who had recovered from his temporary fright for the cooling of his sausages, was specially loud in his remonstrances.
"It's no use your coming here," he said, advancing in a menacing way towards Jack on his arrival. "We aren't going to have you--there!"