CHAPTER III. 

A SERIOUS CHARGE. 

"What do you want?" asked Hardwick abruptly. 

"Is Mr. Sumner in?" returned Hal. 

"No." 

"Then I'll wait till he comes." 

Hardwick stared at Hal. 

"Won't I do?" he asked sharply. 

"I'm afraid not, sir." 

"What do you want to see him about?" 

"He asked me to call," replied the youth. He was not particularly pleased with Hardwick's manner. 

"I am the book-keeper here, and I generally transact business during Mr. Sumner's absence." 

"Mr. Sumner asked me to meet him here at ten o'clock." 

"Oh! You know him, then?" 

"Not very well." 

"I thought not." Hardwick glanced at Hal's shabby clothes. "Well, you had better wait outside until he comes. We don't allow loungers about the office." 

"I will," said Hal, and he turned to leave. 

It was bitter cold outside, but he would have preferred being on the sidewalk than being in the way, especially when such a man as Felix Hardwick was around. 

But, as he turned to leave, a coach drove up to the door, and Mr. Sumner alighted. His face lit up with a smile when he caught sight of Hal. 

"Well, my young friend, I see you are on time," he said, catching Hal by the shoulder, and turning him back into the office. 

"Yes, sir." 

"That's right." Mr. Sumner turned to Hardwick. "Where is Dick?" he asked. 

"I don't know, sir," returned the book-keeper. 

"Hasn't he been here this morning?" 

"I think not." 

"The sidewalk ought to be cleaned. That boy evidently doesn't want work."  QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. Who has agreed to wait?
2. Who is going to wait?
3. Who won't do anything until someone else arrives?
Q2:
1. Who didn't appreciate Hardwick's manner?
2. Who found Hardwick rather rude?
3. Who didn't like the tone Hardwick was taking?
Q3:
1. Whose arrival was supposed to be at 10?
2. Who was meant to get there at 10?
3. Who was scheduled to arrive at 10?
Q4:
1. Who had a meeting with Mr. Sumner at 10?
2. Who was Mr. Sumner supposed to meet with at 10?
3. Who had scheduled to meet with Mr. Sumner at 10?
Q5:
1. What was the auditor's name?
2. Who was employed as an auditor?
3. Who was the book-keeper?
Q6:
1. What did Mr. Hardwick do as book-keeper?
2. What were Mr. Hardwick's responsibilities as book-keeper?
3. What did Hardwick do as auditor?
Q7:
1. Who was supposed to call?
2. Whose call was being waited on?
3. Who was meant to telephone?
Q8:
1. What did Hal think of the auditor?
2. How did Hal feel towards Hardwick?
3. What was Hal's estimation of Hardwick?
Q9:
1. Who was Hal not pleased with?
2. Who displeased Hal?
3. Who wasn't Hal happy with?
Q10:
1. How did Hardwick answer Hal?
2. What sort of response did Hardwick give Hal?
3. What was the nature of Hardwick's response to Hal?
Q11:
1. Who didn't get scared?
2. Who did not feel afraid?
3. Who did not feel fear?
Q12:
1. What did Hal hope to do in the meantime?
2. What was Hal's plan for the meantime?
3. What did Hal decide to do in the meantime?
Q13:
1. What was Hal waiting for?
2. What was being waiting on by Hal
3. What was Hal standing in anticipation of?
Q14:
1. Who was supposed to come?
2. Whose arrival was Hal waiting on?
3. Who was Hal waiting on to come?
