What do you mean ?" Mr.Pole stood up and took an angry stride.
The young man could scarcely believe his master was not stooping to jest with him.

He said: "For that matter, sir, it can't be a minute that I have been wasting." "I called you in half an hour ago," returned Mr.Pole, fumbling at his watch-fob.
"It must have been somebody else, sir." "Did you bring in this directory?
Look at it! This ?" "This is the book that I brought in, sir." "How long since ?" "I think, not a minute and a half, sir." Mr.Pole gazed at him, and coughed slowly.

"I could have sworn..." he murmured, and commenced blinking.
"I suppose I must be a little queer," he pursued; and instantly his right hand struck out, quivering.

The young clerk grasped it, and drew him to a chair.
"Tush," said his master, working his feverish fingers across his forehead.

"Want of food.