The senior partner had been amusing himself at his expense for some time, and in the hope of a favour at his hands he had endured it with unusual patience.
"Four o'clock," murmured the senior partner; "hadn't you better see about making yourself presentable, Hardy ?" [Illustration: "Hadn't you better see about making yourself presentable, Hardy ?"] "Thanks," said the other, with alacrity, as he took off his coat and crossed over to the little washstand.

In five minutes he had finished his toilet and, giving his partner a little friendly pat on the shoulder, locked up his desk.
"Well ?" he said, at last.
"Well ?" repeated Mr.Swann, with a little surprise.
"What am I to tell them ?" inquired Hardy, struggling to keep his temper.
"Tell them ?" repeated the innocent Swann.

"Lor' bless my soul, how you do jump at conclusions, Hardy.

I only asked you to tidy yourself for my sake.

I have an artistic eye.