"Hallo!" said George, "already? I suppose the breakfast'll come up in course of time." 

 Carrie sniffed. 

 "You needn't put on airs," she said loftily. "I suppose you think you're everybody because you're going to have rabbit for dinner." 

 "Look here," said George, with affected hauteur; "you mustn't speak to me like that: I never take impudence from maid-servants. If you're not careful I shall speak to your mistress, and then you won't get a character when you leave. Take your feet off the carpet." 

 Carrie giggled. 

 "What is it?" she asked; "five shillings rise, or some money left you? I'm particular to know, because I always like to treat people according to their position." 

 It was just a quarter past nine when George reached the office. Business was in full swing, and an air of concern appeared on the faces of several junior clerks as George Early hung up his hat. To be a quarter of an hour late was a crime many were guilty of, but to saunter in at nine-fifteen was tempting Fate. 

 "Missed your train?" asked Matthews, a sympathetic youth with freckles. 

 "Train?" said George; "don't be silly. My coachman overslept himself. Is she here?" 

 "Rather; got a new hat. Looks spiffing." 

 "I didn't ask about her hat," said George. "Where's Polly?" 

 "Upstairs in her office." 

 "Go and tell him I'm here, and ask if there's any telegrams for me." 

 Matthews was tickled at this display of humour, and told George that he'd got a nerve. He informed him that Busby and Gray had both arrived late; that Busby was in a beastly temper, but that Gray was in the best of spirits. 

 George smiled at the news concerning Busby. "It's that studying at the library," he said to himself facetiously. "No man can expect to keep his spirits up if he goes slogging away studying books, after putting in a full day at business. He wants recreation, a game of billiards, for instance. But that's 

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