As it requires much extra labor to prepare it, everybody works far into the night.

The whole establishment is alert.

The lamps remain lighted in the offices long after the doors are closed, and seem to share in the festal atmosphere peculiar to that last week of the year, when so many windows are illuminated for family gatherings.

Every one, even to the least important 'employe' of the firm, is interested in the results of the inventory.

The increases of salary, the New Year's presents, depend upon those blessed figures.