Merrett, Barnacle, and Company were at home.
His quick eye detected me at once, and I felt very uncomfortable, lest he should misunderstand the state of affairs and jump to the conclusion that I had been already engaged by the firm.

At all risks I determined to put him right on this point.
"I'm not taken on, Jack," I said, before his question had been answered.
"They've given me--" "I'll give you a box on the ears, young gentleman," broke out the amazed Doubleday.

"You're forgetting yourself.

Go on with your work.

Now then, young hop-o'-my-thumb," said he, addressing himself to Smith, "what do you want ?" Smith solemnly produced a letter, which he exhibited to the senior clerk.
"Oh, you're after the place too, are you, young bull's-eye ?" "Yes," said Smith, solemnly, and apparently not aware that the last expression had been intended as a joke.
"Why don't you laugh, eh ?" cried Wallop; "we all laugh here when Doubles makes a joke; don't we, Crow ?" Mr Crow, thus appealed to, replied, "Oh, of course.