he
mole he never succeeds in building a nest for himself. The heap
diminishes gradually before him and he thinks he sees rock-bottom, when
suddenly an avalanche comes down, obliterating marks of previous effort
and storing up labor for days, weeks, or months to come.

Surely, there are few occupations more all-possessing than banking. A
boy is under a heavy responsibility; the thought makes him proud; pride
spurs him to his best; he forgets--really forgets--to exercise. Often
he is so worn out he cannot take exercise without physical suffering.
Moreover, the clerical strain makes him sleepy, and, as social affairs
and night work prevent early retiring, he must get his sleep in the
morning; thus out-door recreation is neglected. Whether or not it
should be, it is. Excessive inside work takes away the inclination to
exercise, and only those who know a large number of bankclerks
understand how serious are the results of this diseased lethargy.

As he sat in the station waiting for his train to Toronto, Evan tried
to recall one night in the year past when he had had nothing to do. He
could not remember one. When he had not been working there had always
been a village function of some sort to take up his time and consume
his vitality.

His head ached now, for he had labored harder than ever during the past
week, to clear the way for Christmas. There would be pleasure in
seeing his folk, but none in the trip--although he was fond of travel.
He dreaded now the long train-ride. He yawned and felt miserable.

In the coach he was unable to sleep, and too tired to read. He had no
disposition to talk; the only pastime left was to think. He wondered
if Frankie still cared for him; if his parents would be impressed with
his knowledge of banking, and if the bankboys of Hometon would
acknowledge him a pal. Selfish as it may seem, his thoughts of Frankie
were indefinite, and confused with memories of Julia and Lily.

The motion of the train gradually rocked him to sleep in his seat. He
dreamt he was being moved to another branch. When he awoke the
conductor was shouting "Toronto."

Evan changed cars at Union Station. This was the second time he had
been through the city, but he had seen nothing of its life.

The train out Hometon way was crammed with excursionists. The weary
bankclerk was obliged to stand for over fifty miles. He was more than
half sick when he reached Hometon. The train was two hours late.

M