a minute's time to themselves now and then; but the proprietor of
the store seemed to have his keen eyes on Hiram continually.

There was always a slow-up in the work about ten o'clock, and
Hiram had a request to make. He asked Old Daniel for an hour
off.

"An hour off--with all this work to do? What do you mean, boy?"
roared the proprietor. "What do you want an hour for?"

"I've got an errand," replied Hiram, quietly.

"Well, what is it?" snarled the old man, curiously.

"Why--it's a private matter. I can't tell you," returned the
youth, coolly.

"No good, I'll be bound--no good. I don't see why I should let
you off an hour---"

"I work many an hour overtime for you, Mr. Dwight," put in Hiram.

"Yes, yes; that's all right. That's the agreement. You knew
you'd have to when you came to work at the Emporium. Stick to
your contract, boy."

"Then why don't you stick to yours?" demanded the youth, boldly.

"Eh! Eh! What do you mean by that?" cried Mr. Dwight, glaring
at Hiram through his spectacles.