human
I don’t believe, said Roberts,
gpt
How then, said Arnold,
human
It appears to me to have been forced upon him.
gpt
Don’t you think he knew that Mr. Johnson was coming?
human
No, I do not; that, I think, was as much a surprise to himself as it was to us.
gpt
Well, added Arnold,
human
Yes; and to my thinking, said Roberts,
gpt
Rather rough treatment of a man who has been a trusted and respected servant for over fifty years!
human
No doubt of it, continued Roberts.
gpt
Of course, I do not say but what it is quite possible that the heads of the firm at Broadstone may have suggested to him the desirability of thinking of retiring, after such a lengthy innings, in order that some younger man should be introduced, who might be expected to impart a little fresh life and infuse more energy into the business; but, as he did not readily take the hint, I presume they have ’taken the bull by the horns,’ which causes their act to have the appearance of somewhat unceremonious treatment.