CHAPTER VII.
The Assistant Commissioner walked along a short and narrow street like a wet, muddy trench, then crossing a very broad thoroughfare entered a public edifice, and sought speech with a young private secretary (unpaid) of a great personage.
This fair, smooth-faced young man, whose symmetrically arranged hair gave him the air of a large and neat schoolboy, met the Assistant Commissioner's request with a doubtful look, and spoke with bated breath.
"Would he see you?
I don't know about that.

He has walked over from the House an hour ago to talk with the permanent Under-Secretary, and now he's ready to walk back again.

He might have sent for him; but he does it for the sake of a little exercise, I suppose.

It's all the exercise he can find time for while this session lasts.

I don't complain; I rather enjoy these little strolls.