So I amended my explanation.
"I got a letter from Merrett, Barnacle, and Company.--" "_Messrs_.

Merrett, Barnacle, and Company, if you please," put in the clerk.
"I beg your pardon," said I, "from Messrs.

Merrett, Barnacle, and Company, telling me to be here at 10:15." "Oh.

Why didn't you say that before?
What's the use of prevaricating when it's just as easy to tell the truth straight out, eh?
What's the time now ?" "Twenty past," said I, looking at the clock.
"And you call that punctual?
That's a nice beginning, anyhow.

What's your name ?" "Batchelor," said I.
This again appeared to afford amusement to the company in general; and one or two jokes at the expense of my name were forthcoming, which I bore with as good a grace as I could.
At length it pleased the clerk who had cross-examined me to get off his stool, and after poking the fire and consulting the directory, and skirmishing pleasantly with a fellow-clerk for a minute or two, to go to the door of the inner-room and knock there.
"Come in," I heard a voice answer, and the clerk entered.
He emerged again in a moment and beckoned to me.