human
Good-day, he said. Then, before Anderson could respond, he plunged at once into the subject on his mind, a subject that was wrinkling his forehead. However, he first closed the office door and glanced around furtively.
gpt
See here, he whispered, mysteriously;
human
Well, what I want to know is--what do you think of him?
gpt
I don't quite understand what you mean,
human
Well, I mean-- Well, what I mean is just this --the druggist made a nervous, imperative gesture with a long forefinger--
gpt
You mean?
human
Yes, is he good?
gpt
He has paid his bills here,
human
No, thank you, can't stop. I've left my little boy in the store all alone. So he has paid you?
gpt
Yes, he has paid his bills here,
human
Well, maybe he is all right. I'll tell you, if you won't speak of it. Of course he may be all right; and I don't want to quarrel with a good customer. All there is--he came rushing in three weeks ago to-day and said he was late for the train, and he had used up his commutation and had come off without his pocket-book, and of course could not get credit at the station office, and if I had a book he would take it and write me a check. While he was talking he was scratching a check on a New York bank like lightning. He made a mistake and drew it for ten dollars too much; and I hadn't a full book anyway, only one with thirty-five tickets in it, and I let him have that and gave him the difference in cash--fifteen dollars and forty-two cents. And--well--the long and short of it is, the check came back from the bank, no good.
gpt
Did you tell him?
human
Haven't seen him since. I went to his house twice, but he wasn't home. I tried to catch him at the station, but he has been going on different trains lately; and once when I got a glimpse of him the train was in and he had just time to swing on and I couldn't stop him then, of course. Then I dropped him a line, and got a mighty smooth note back. He said there was a mistake; he was very sorry; he would explain at once and settle; and that's over a week ago, and--
gpt
Probably he will settle it, if he said so,
human
Well, I hope he will, but-- The druggist hesitated. Then he went on:
gpt
There is something else, to tell the truth. One of his girls came in just now and asked me to cash a check for twenty-five dollars--her father's check, but on another bank--and--I refused.
human
Do you think I did right? asked the druggist, who had a nervous appeal of manner.
gpt
Maybe the check was good. I hated to refuse, of course. I said I was short of ready money. I don't think she suspected anything. She is a nice-spoken girl. I don't suppose she knew if the check wasn't good.
human
Any man who thinks so ought to be kicked,
gpt
I told you I didn't think so, he retorted, eying him with some wonder and a little timidity.
human
But I declare I didn't know what to do. There was that other check not accounted for yet; and I can't afford to lose any more, and that's a fact. Then you think I ought to have cashed it?
gpt
On general principles, I should not call it good business to repeat a transaction of that kind until the first was made right.
human
Well, I am glad to hear you say so. I hated to--
gpt
But Captain Carroll may be as good pay in the end as I am, interrupted Anderson.
human
He seems to me to have good principles about things of that kind.
gpt
Well, I'll cash the next check, said Drew, with a laugh.
human
I must go back, for I left my little boy alone in the store.
gpt
That young lady who was here a little while ago wants to speak to you, Mr. Anderson,
human
I will come out directly,