Burton continued to regard his subordinate, however, and by degrees an expression of pained disapproval crept into his face.
"Clarkson," he said, "if you will forgive my mentioning a purely personal matter, why do you wear such uncomfortable collars and such an exceedingly unbecoming tie ?" The office-boy swung round upon his stool.

His mouth was wide open like a rabbit's.

He fingered the offending articles.
"What's the matter with them ?" he demanded, getting his question out with a single breath.
"Your collars are much too high," Burton pointed out.

"One can see how they cut into your neck.

Then why wear a tie of that particular shade of vivid purple when your clothes themselves, with that blue and yellow stripe, are somewhat noticeable?
There is a lack of symphony about the arrangement, an entire absence of taste, which is apt to depress one.
The whole effect which you produce upon one's vision is abominable.