Now was the time! I braced myself up to the ordeal, and not heeding the facetious dig in the ribs which the clerk gave me in passing, I put on my best face, and entered the awful presence.
Two gentlemen sat facing one another at the table, one of them old, the other middle-aged.

These I instantly guessed to be Messrs.

Merrett and Barnacle.

Mr Barnacle, the junior partner, who had a sharp voice and a stern face, undertook my examination, Mr Merrett only coming in occasionally with some mild observation.
"You are Batchelor," said Mr Barnacle, when I had entered and carefully closed the door behind me.

I noticed he held in his hand my original letter of application.