‘Do you mean to say I am not honest?’

’It is not necessary for me to say any thing on the subject.  I am only talking about the management of your business.  You censure me for not standing still and seeing one of your neighbors grossly cheated, by which you would have lost some of the best customers in town, to say the least.  By taking the course I did, I saved the credit of the concern instead of injuring it, and I even spoke of it as a mistake of Pease, instead of a deception.’

Mr. Jessup was already convinced, as indeed, his petulance proved, that Hiram was right, but he had some pride in not appearing to yield too soon.

’I understand the matter better now, and really, Hiram, you did just about the right thing, that’s a fact.  Honesty is the best policy, after all.  I shall tell Pease he did very wrong to attempt any of his tricks on such a person as Mrs. Esterbrook, and in future—­’

‘In future one of us must be an absentee from the premises,’ said Hiram coolly.

‘Why, what do you mean?’

’Just this.  Pease’s year is up next week, and then one of us must leave.’

Mr. Jessup fell into a brown study.  He reflected on the admirable manner Hiram had performed his duties; he could not shut his eyes to the fact that several excellent customers had been secured through his influence; he considered the respectability of the Meeker family, and called to mind how indifferent Mary had become to Pease, while she seemed gratified when Hiram was near.  Again, Pease, when measured by Hiram’s more comprehensive tact and shrewdness, seemed a booby, a nobody, and Mr. Jessup wondered how he ever acquired such an influence over him, and he was the more disgusted with himself the more he thought about it.

‘It is working right, after all,’ he said to himself.  ’I shall be well rid of Pease, and Hiram shall take his place.’  Then rising from his seat, he observed:  ’I will think the matter over carefully, and you shall have my decision on the day.  Now set to work as if nothing had happened.’

Hiram went back to the store as certain of the fate of Pease as if he was himself to decide it.  ’Check-mated’—­something like that passed from his lips.  His countenance, however, gave no sign of triumph, nor, indeed, of any feeling.

In the evening Mr. Jessup announced that, after due consideration, he was of opinion the conduct of Pease was so censurable that the interference of Hiram was very proper, if not, indeed, praiseworthy.

‘Perhaps you would like to settle with me?’ said Pease ferociously.

‘Just as you please,’ replied Mr. Jessup.

’Well, I guess I have staid about long enough in this place when I’ve lived to see you coming the honest dodge so strong as that—­darned if I han’t!’

Next week Pease had quit, and Hiram Meeker was head-clerk.