Page:The Dial (Volume 68).djvu/487

"I am aware of that," replied the man, "but I also am determined to say what I have come to say: you have not all the determination of the world."

The manager nodded.

Said the other:

"I am in this fortunate position, that I do not depend on my employment for my livelihood."

The manager raised and lowered his brows in the manner of one who ticks off items which he fears will be lengthy but will of necessity have some conclusion.

His companion continued:

"I am thus so free I can afford to resent ill-will, and chastise a personal antagonist."

The manager wearily checked this statement and permitted it to disappear.

"Between you, the six months' manager of this house, and me, who have held an important position here for ten years, there has arisen a personal ill-will, and you are the aggressor. You have determined to place on me a public afrront, I have determined to resent it and to punish it."

The manager nodded another item away.

"In what way," said he, "am I to be punished?"

"You have called me here to discharge me; I," touching his whalebone, "have brought this here to beat you."

"You understand," said the manager, "what will happen after you have beaten me?"

"I will pay the fine or do the three months: it is a matter of indifference to me."

"In that case," said the manager, "I take this opportunity of informing you that this establishment has not any further need of your services."

The two men looked with cold excitement, with cold rage, at each other. The man eased the whalebone in his hand, rose to his feet and strode to the desk.

"I think I can manage to do you three months' damage before they break the door open," said he.

He reached a hand to the manager's shoulder, and the latter's hand stretched automatically forward and hovered over the bell upon his table: thus they halted for two seconds staring fixedly at