I was so engaged getting my book straight for you, and writing--a few cheques for my annual contributions to hospitals, etc.,--that the time slipped by--" The tone was unusually conciliatory for Livingstone; but he still retained it in addressing Clark.

It was partly a remnant of his old time relation to Mr.Clark when he, yet a young man, first knew him, and partly a recognition of Clark's position as a man of good birth who had been unfortunate, and had a large family to support.
"Oh! that's all right, Mr.Livingstone," said the clerk, pleasantly.
He gathered up the letters on the desk and was unconsciously pressing them into exact order.
"Shall I have these mailed or sent by a messenger ?" "Mail them, of course," said Livingstone.

"And Clark, I want you to--" "I thought possibly that, as to-morrow is--" began the clerk in explanation, but stopped as Livingstone continued speaking without noticing the interruption.
-- "I have been going over my matters," pursued Livingstone, "and they are in excellent shape--better this year than ever before--" The clerk's face brightened.
"That's very good," said he, heartily.

"I knew they were." -- "Yes, very good, indeed," said Livingstone condescendingly, pausing to dwell for a second on the sight of the line of pallid figures which suddenly flashed before his eyes.

"And I have got everything straight for you this year; and I want you to come up to my house this evening and go over the books with me quietly, so that I can show you--" "This evening ?" The clerk's countenance fell and the words were as near an exclamation as he ever indulged in.
"Yes--, this evening.