My last hope of a respite now gone to the winds! We walked down disconsolately to the office.

Hawkesbury was back in his place, smiling as usual.

But the dread of Shoddy's visit to-morrow drove away all thought for the present of resentment against Hawkesbury.
I was even constrained to greet him civilly, and when he asked if I had received his letter, to say yes, I was much obliged.
On leaving the office that evening the tailor's assistant was hanging about outside as before.

I imagined he had some fresh message, and went up to him eagerly.

"Well," said I, "what is it ?" "Nothing that I know of," said he.