ened.
But Whipcord was really in such a shocking state that night that--"

"Can you give me a piece of blotting-paper?" I said to Doubleday across
the desk.

He waited till I had got what I wanted, and proceeded, smiling as ever,
"It really wasn't safe for any of us. Masham, by the way, was very
sorry to hear of your accident, and asked me to tell you so. I meant to
do so the evening I called, but your friend was really so polite that I
forgot all about it."

I had stood it thus far, and kept to my resolve of saying as little as I
could. But when he brought in Jack's name it was all I could do to hold
my peace.

I made an excuse to leave my place and consult a Directory, in the hopes
of shaking him off, but there he was when I returned, ready to go on as
benignly as ever.

"I'm sure, Batchelor," said he, "it must have been greatly against you
to be cooped up in that miserable lodging all the time, and in--what I
should call--such uncongenial society. But when one is ill, of course
one has just to put up with what one can get."

My patience had reached its limit at last.

"My friend's society is more congenial to me than yours is at present!"
I said, colouring up and bending over my writing.

"I see," said he, "he has got you under this thumb again, and means to
keep you there."

"Will you let me get on with my work?" I said.

"Oh, certainly!" said he, smiling blandly. "I merely wished to tell you
how glad I was to see you back at last; but I dare say that doesn't
interest you."

I made no answer, and, seeing that I was determined to hold no more
conversation, he gently withdrew.

I felt quite relieved when he had done so, and still more to find that,
for the first time in my life, I had been proof against his
blandishments.

"What have you been doing to Petty-Cash?" whispered Doubleday to me,
presently; "he looks so smiling and benevolent that I'm certain you must
have given him mortal offence about something or other."

"I don't care if I have," I said.

Doubleday whistled softly. "I say, young 'un," said he, "your illness
has smartened you up a bit, I reckon, eh?"

This, coming from the source it did, I felt to be a compliment.
However, I had more calls upon my new resolutions before the day was
over.

The partners arrived and received me--each in his own peculiar way--very
kindly. Mr Merrett was good enough to say the work of the office had
suffered a good deal in my absence, and Mr B