He entered the door, walked straight to the teller's window and peered through the bars.

I heard him catch his breath.
"Good morning, Sim," said I."What can I do for you ?" "Do ?" he repeated.

"Do for me?
Nothin'-- nothin', 'special.

You--you meant it, then ?" "I told you I did." "My soul!" was all the answer he made.

Then he turned and walked out.
At about eleven o'clock I was half-way through the addition of a column of figures when I heard some one say, "Well, by time!" with such anguished fervor that it was almost like a prayer for help.