g. "You ask how it suits _me_?"

His feelings were too much for him. He grew very red, and could say no
more.

"Then suppose we settle it so. I've written out the terms of your
engagement. Read and sign."

Allchin pretended to read the paper, but obviously paid no attention to
it. He seemed to be struggling with some mental obstacle.

"Something you want to alter?" asked Warburton.

"Why, sir, you've altogether forgot as I'm in your debt. It stands to
reason as you must take that money out before you begin to pay me
anything."

"Oh, we won't say anything more about that trifle. We're making a new
beginning. But look here, Allchin, I don't want you to quarrel with me,
as you do with every one else--"

"With _you_, sir? Ho, ho!"

Allchin guffawed, and at once looked ashamed of himself.

"I quarrel," he added, "with people as are insulting, or as try to best
me. It goes against my nature, sir, to be insulted and to be bested."

They talked about the details of the business, and presently Allchin
asked what name was to be put up over the shop.

"I've thought of that," answered Will. "What do you say to--_Jollyman_?"

The assistant was delighted; he repeated the name a dozen times,
snorting and choking with appreciation of the joke. Next morning, they
met again, and went together to look at the shop. Here Allchin made
great play with his valuable qualities. He pointed out the errors and
negligencies of the late Boxon, declared it a scandal that a business
such as this should have been allowed to fall off, and was full of
ingenious ideas for a brilliant opening. Among other forms of
inexpensive advertisement, he suggested that, for the first day, a band
should be engaged to play in the front room over the shop, with the
windows open; and he undertook to find amateur bandsmen who would
undertake the job on very moderate terms.

Not many days elapsed before the old name had disappeared from the
house front, giving place to that of Jollyman. Whilst this was being
painted up, Allchin stood on the opposite side of the way, watching
delightedly.

"When I think as the name used to be Boxon," he exclaimed to his
employer, "why, I can't believe as any money was ever made here. Boxon!
Why, it was enough to drive customers away! If you ever heard a worse
name, sir, for a shopkeeper, I should be glad to be told of it. But
_Jollyman_! Why, it'll bring people from Putney, from Battersea, from
who knows how far. Jollyman's