"Look at all these boys. Most of them have good
homes, I suppose, and good recommendations, while I have nobody to
refer to."
"Go ahead," said Dick. "Your chance is as good as anybody's."
While this was passing between Dick and his companion, one of the
boys, a rather supercilious-looking young gentleman, genteelly
dressed, and evidently having a very high opinion of his dress and
himself turned suddenly to Dick, and remarked,--
"I've seen you before."
"Oh, have you?" said Dick, whirling round; "then p'r'aps you'd like
to see me behind."
At this unexpected answer all the boys burst into a laugh with the
exception of the questioner, who, evidently, considered that Dick
had been disrespectful.
"I've seen you somewhere," he said, in a surly tone, correcting
himself.
"Most likely you have," said Dick. "That's where I generally keep
myself."
There was another laugh at the expense of Roswell Crawford, for that
was the name of the young aristocrat. But he had his revenge ready.
No boy relishes being an object of ridicule, and it was with a
feeling of satisfaction that he retorted,--
"I know you for all your impudence. You're nothing but a
boot-black."
This information took the boys who were standing around by surprise,
for Dick was well-dressed, and had none of the implements of his
profession with him.
"S'pose I be," said Dick. "Have you got any objection?"
"Not at all," said Roswell, curling his lip; "only you'd better
stick to blacking boots, and not try to get into a store.
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