CHAPTER SEVEN.
AN EXCITING END TO A DULL DAY.
Horace meanwhile had wended his way with some trepidation and curiosity to the manager's sanctum.

He felt uncomfortable in being separated from Reginald at all, especially when the latter was left single-handed in such an uncongenial atmosphere as that breathed by Mr Durfy and Barber.
He could only hope for the best, and, meanwhile, what fate was in store for himself?
He knocked at the manager's door doubtfully and obeyed the summons to enter.
Brusque man as the manager was, there was nothing disagreeable about his face as he looked up and said, "Oh--you're the youngster Mr Richmond put in here ?" "Yes, sir, my brother and I are." "Yes, and I hear you're both fools.

Is that the case ?" "Reginald isn't, whatever I am," said Horace, boldly.
"Isn't he?
I'm told he's the bigger fool of the two.

Never mind that, though--" "I assure you," began Horace, but the manager stopped him.
"Yes, yes.

I know all about that.