"All because I'm coloured," said he, bitterly, to himself--"all because I'm coloured! What will mother and Esther say?
How it will distress them--they've so built upon it! I wish," said he, sadly, "that I was dead!" No longer able to repress the tears that were welling up, he walked towards the window of a print-store, where he pretended to be deeply interested in some pictures whilst he stealthily wiped his eyes.

Every time he turned to leave the window, there came a fresh flood of tears; and at last he was obliged to give way entirely, and sobbed as if his heart would break.
He was thus standing when he felt a hand laid familiarly on his shoulder, and, on turning round, he beheld the gentleman he had left in Mr.
Blatchford's office.

"Come, my little man," said he, "don't take it so much to heart.

Cheer up--you may find some other person willing to employ you.
Come, walk on with me--where do you live ?" Charlie dried his eyes and gave him his address as they walked on up the street together.
Mr.Burrell talked encouragingly, and quite succeeded in soothing him ere they separated.

"I shall keep a look out for you," said he, kindly; "and if I hear of anything likely to suit you, I shall let you know." Charlie thanked him and sauntered slowly home.