of Horace's long letter, particularly those
which referred to his mother's poor health and the straitened
circumstances of the little household, were sufficiently unwelcome to
eclipse in Reginald's mind the other exciting news the letter had
contained. They brought on a fit of the blues which lasted more than
one day.

For now that he had neither companion nor occupation (for the business
of the Select Agency Corporation had fallen off completely) there was
nothing to prevent his indulgence in low spirits.

He began to chafe at his imprisonment, and still more at his
helplessness even were he at liberty to do anything. Christmas was
still a fortnight off, and till then what could he do on thirteen
shillings a week? He might cut down his commissariat certainly, to,
say, a shilling a day, and send home the rest. But then, what about
coals and postage-stamps and other incidental expenses, which had to be
met in Mr Medlock's absence out of his own pocket? The weather was
very cold--he could hardly do without coals, and he was bound in the
interests of the Corporation to keep stamps enough in the place to cover
the necessary correspondence.

When all was said, two shillings seemed to be the utmost he could save
out of his weekly pittance, and this he sent home by the very next post,
with a long, would-be cheerful, but really dismal letter, stoutly
denying that he was either miserable or disappointed with his new work,
and anticipating with pleasure the possibility of being able to run up
at Christmas and bring with him the welcome funds which would clear the
family of debt and give it a good start for the New Year.

When he had finished his letter home he wrote to Mr Medlock, very
respectfully suggesting that as he had been working pretty hard and for
the last few days single-handed, Mr Medlock might not object to advance
him at any rate part of the salary due in a fortnight, as he was rather
in need of money. And he ventured to ask, as Christmas Day fell on a
Thursday, and no business was likely to be done between that day and the
following Monday, might he take the _two_ or three days' holiday,
undertaking, of course, to be back at his post on the Monday morning?
He enclosed a few post-office orders which had come to hand since he
last wrote, and hoped he should soon have the pleasure of seeing Mr
Medlock--"or anybody," he added to himself as he closed the letter and
looked wearily round the gaunt, empty room.