True, when he came, he soon made up for lost time, for he was possessed, as we have seen, of a notable quickness and agility of mind, but sometimes Taynton found that he was himself forced to be idle till Mills turned up, if his signature or what not was required for papers before work could be further proceeded with.

This, in fact, was the case next morning, and from half past eleven Mr.Taynton had to sit idly in his office, as far as the work of the firm was concerned until his partner arrived.

It was a little tiresome that this should happen to-day, because there was nothing else that need detain him, except those deeds for the execution of which his partner's signature was necessary, and he could, if only Mills had been punctual, have gone out to Rottingdean before lunch, and inspected the Church school there in the erection of which he had taken so energetic an interest.

Timmins, however, the gray-haired old head clerk, was in the office with him, and Mr.Taynton always liked a chat with Timmins.
"And the grandson just come home, has he Mr.Timmins ?" he was saying.

"I must come and see him.