The outlay required for furniture was small, indeed: some matting for the floors, a few cushions for the divans which ran round the rooms, a bed, a few simple cooking utensils, and a small stock of crockery sufficed.
Mr.Ferguson, the manager of the branch, had at first read the letter that Gregory had brought him with some doubt in his mind, as to the wisdom of his principal, in sending out a man who was evidently a gentleman.

This feeling, however, soon wore away; and he found him perfectly ready to undertake any work to which he was set.
There was, indeed, nothing absolutely unpleasant about this.

He was at the office early, and saw that the native swept and dusted the offices.
The rest of the day he was either in the warehouse, or carried messages, and generally did such odd jobs as were required.

A fortnight after his arrival, one of the clerks was kept away by a sharp attack of fever; and as work was pressing, the agent asked Gregory to take his place.
"I will do my best, sir, but I know nothing of mercantile accounts." "The work will be in no way difficult.

Mr.Hardman will take Mr.
Parrot's ledgers; and, as you will only have to copy the storekeeper's issues into the books, five minutes will show you the form in which they are entered." Gregory gave such satisfaction that he was afterwards employed at office work, whenever there was any pressure.
A year and a half passed comfortably.