He walked in one morning, and closed the door carefully behind him. Parrott looked up with some uneasiness, but made no remark. He waited for his subordinate to speak; but as George Early seemed in no hurry to forego his inspection of the almanacks on the wall, he asked if Miss Fairbrother had arrived. 

 "Not yet," said George, without turning his head. "She doesn't hurry herself. No more would I if I had her job." 

 Parrott coughed sternly in reply to this free remark concerning the head of the firm. 

 "Do you want to see me, Early?" he asked, with an attempt at discipline. 

 "Oh yes," said George, as if obliged for the reminder; "I was just going to thank you for that half-crown I borrowed. By the way, I'm a bit short this week; have you got five shillings you could let me have a couple of days? Beastly nuisance being short." 

 Parrott turned white, and nerved himself to bear the shock. 

 "What do you mean, Early, by coming here to borrow money from me?" he said. 

 George put his hand over his mouth and coughed. 

 "Because I know you're the right sort," he said diplomatically. "I know you've got a heart, and you wouldn't refuse a man who is hard up." 

 "It'll get round the office," said Parrott, "and I shall have everybody borrowing from me." 

 "Why should they?" asked George, innocently. 

 "Of course not," said Parrott, seeing the need for caution. "Well, I'll let you have the money this time, Early. You needn't tell anybody else; because if others started to borrow money from me, I should have to refuse everybody. Do you see?" 

 "I see," said George. 

 He pocketed the money and went out, leaving the head clerk in a very disturbed state of mind. 

 In spite of his impecunious state, George Early did not seek his usual coffee-shop for lunch that day. He passed it by on the other side, and stopped to look at the bill of fare outside a City restaurant. Having examined the menus of other restaurants, he entered one where a man in uniform stood at the door. 

 Turning into an alcove, George came face to face with Gray, who was preparing to begin on a prime rump-steak. Gray started, 

 Prev. P 14/193 next