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Chapter 14
Lupindidnottaketheslightestnoticeofthejoke,althoughIpurposelyrepeateditforhim;butcontinued:“Igiveyouthetip,that’sall—chalkpits!”Isaidanotherfunnything:“Mindyoudon’tfallintothem!”Lupinputonasupercilioussmile,andsaid:“Bravo!JoeMiller.”
January4.—Mr.Perkuppsentformeandtoldmethatmypositionwouldbethatofoneoftheseniorclerks.Iwasmorethanoverjoyed.Mr.Perkuppadded,hewouldletmeknowtomorrowwhatthesalarywouldbe.Thismeansanotherday’sanxiety;Idon’tmind,foritisanxietyoftherightsort.ThatremindedmethatIhadforgottentospeaktoLupinabouttheletterIreceivedfromMr.Mutlar,senr.IbroachedthesubjecttoLupinintheevening,havingfirstconsultedCarrie.LupinwasrivetedtotheFinancialNews,asifhehadbeenaborncapitalist,andIsaid:“Pardonmeamoment,Lupin,howisityouhavenotbeentotheMutlars’anydaythisweek?”
Lupinanswered:“Itoldyou!IcannotstandoldMutlar.”
Isaid:“Mr.Mutlarwritestometosayprettyplainlythathecannotstandyou!”
Lupinsaid:“Well,Ilikehischeekinwritingtoyou.I’llfindoutifhisfatherisstillalive,andIwillwritehimanotecomplainingofhisson,andI’llstateprettyclearlythathissonisablitheringidiot!”
Isaid:“Lupin,pleasemoderateyourexpressionsinthepresenceofyourmother.”
Lupinsaid:“I’mverysorry,butthereisnootherexpressiononecanapplytohim.However,I’mdeterminednottoenterhisplaceagain.
