But Hardie was impassive as ice.
Then the little clerk, mortified to the core as well as wounded, ground
his teeth and drew a little nearer to this incarnate Arithmetic, and said
with an excess of obsequiousness, "Will you condescend to give me a
reason for turning me away all in a moment after five-and-thirty years'
faithful services?"
"Men of business do not deal in reasons," was the cool reply: "it is
enough for you that I give you an excellent character, and that we part
good friends."
"That we do not," replied Skinner sharply: "if we stay together we are
friends; but we part enemies, if we do part."
"As you please, Mr. Skinner. I will detain you no longer."
And Mr. Hardie waved him away so grandly that he started and almost ran
to the door. When he felt the handle, it acted like a prop to his heart.
He stood firm, and rage supplied the place of steady courage. He clung to
the door, and whispered at his master--such a whisper: so loud, so
cutting, so full of meaning and malice; it was like a serpent hissing at
a man.
"But I'll give _you_ a reason, a good reason, why you had better not
insult me so cruel: and what is more, I'll give you two: and one is that
but for me the bank must have closed this day at ten o'clock--ay, you may
stare; it was I saved it, not you--and the other is that, if you make an
enemy of me, you are done for.
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