"I merely wished to tell you how glad I was to see you back at last; but I dare say that doesn't interest you." I made no answer, and, seeing that I was determined to hold no more conversation, he gently withdrew.
I felt quite relieved when he had done so, and still more to find that, for the first time in my life, I had been proof against his blandishments.
"What have you been doing to Petty-Cash ?" whispered Doubleday to me, presently; "he looks so smiling and benevolent that I'm certain you must have given him mortal offence about something or other." "I don't care if I have," I said.
Doubleday whistled softly.

"I say, young 'un," said he, "your illness has smartened you up a bit, I reckon, eh ?" This, coming from the source it did, I felt to be a compliment.
However, I had more calls upon my new resolutions before the day was over.
The partners arrived and received me--each in his own peculiar way--very kindly.

Mr Merrett was good enough to say the work of the office had suffered a good deal in my absence, and Mr Barnacle said he hoped I had come back prepared to make up for lost time.

To both which observations I listened respectfully, and returned once more to my desk.
The morning passed quickly and busily.

I had made a plunge into the difficult task so considerately saved up for me by Doubleday, and felt quite refreshed by the array of figures to be dealt with.