No doubt that's what will be done,' replied Newman, and added with a mirthless laugh: 'I don't suppose they'll have much difficulty in getting a couple of chaps.' 'No, you're right, mate.

There's plenty of 'em walkin' about as a week's work would be a Gordsend to.' 'Come to think of it,' continued Newman after a pause, 'I believe the firm used to give all their blind work to old Latham, the venetian blind maker.

Prap's they'll give 'im this lot to do.' 'Very likely,' replied Philpot, 'I should think 'e can do 'em cheaper even than us chaps, and that's all the firm cares about.' How far their conjectures were fulfilled will appear later.
Shortly after Bert was gone it became so dark that it was necessary to light the candles, and Philpot remarked that although he hated working under such conditions, yet he was always glad when lighting up time came, because then knocking off time was not very far behind.
About five minutes to five, just as they were all putting their things away for the night, Nimrod suddenly appeared in the house.

He had come hoping to find some of them ready dressed to go home before the proper time.

Having failed in this laudable enterprise, he stood silently by himself for some seconds in the drawing-room.