ber
13.'"

"So it is, to be sure," exclaimed I, who, of course, knew it all along,
and had only raised the alarm in order to interrupt Doubleday's awkward
talk. "Thanks."

This expedient of mine, disingenuous as it was, was successful. Before
Doubleday could get back to his desk and take up the thread of his
conversation where he left it, Mr Merrett entered the office. He
walked straight up to Jack's desk, and said, heartily, "Well, Smith, my
man, we're glad to see you back. Are you quite well again?"

"Quite well, thank you, sir," said Smith, rising to his feet, and
flushing with pleasure at this unexpected attention from the head of the
firm.

I felt quite as proud as he did, and still more so when presently Mr
Barnacle arrived, and after first looking over his letters and glancing
at his _Times_, touched the bell and said he wished to speak to Smith.

"They're going to make a partner of you," said Doubleday, mockingly, as
he delivered the message. "Never mind; you won't forget your old
servants, I know."

"Talking of partners," said Harris, of the Imports, over the screen,
when Jack had gone in obedience to the summons, "we're to have the new
chap here next week."

"What's his name?" asked Doubleday.

"Don't know. He's a nephew, I believe, of old Merrett's. The old boy
told me the other day he was to come into my department to learn the
business. He says I'm to teach him all I know, as he wants him to get
on."

"That's pleasant. I suppose he's to be shoved over our heads, and tell
us all what to do."

"Never fear," said Harris; "I sha'n't teach him too much. But the
governor says he's a `youth of good principles and fair attainments,'
and thinks I shall like him."

Crow whistled.

"`Good principles and fair attainments!' That's a good un. I guess
he's come to the wrong shop with those goods. Nobody deals in them here
that _I_ know of."

"Speak for yourself," retorted Doubleday, sententiously. "No one
suspected you of going in for either, but Batchelor and I flatter
ourselves we _are_ a little in that line."

"Well, if you are," said Wallop, breaking in, "all I can say is, young
Batchelor had better show his principle by stepping round to Shoddy's
and paying his bill there, or he may `attain' to something he doesn't
expect."

"What do you mean?" I said. "I've only had the things a fortnight, and
he said I needn't pay for them for a month."

"No doubt he did," said Wallop, not ob