Oh, it's you, Cradell, is it? What
can I do for you?" Mr. Cradell, who now entered, and who, as before
said, was an old ally of John Eames, was a clerk of longer standing
in the department than his friend. In age he looked to be much older,
and he had left with him none of that appearance of the gloss of
youth which will stick for many years to men who are fortunate in
their worldly affairs. Indeed it may be said that Mr. Cradell was
almost shabby in his outward appearance, and his brow seemed to be
laden with care, and his eyes were dull and heavy.

"I thought I'd just come in and ask you how you are," said Cradell.

"I'm pretty well, thank you; and how are you?"

"Oh, I'm pretty well,--in health, that is. You see one has so many
things to think of when one has a large family. Upon my word, Johnny,
I think you've been lucky to keep out of it."

"I have kept out of it, at any rate; haven't I?"

"Of course; living with you as much as I used to do, I know the whole
story of what kept you single."

"Don't mind about that, Cradell; what is it you want?"

"I mustn't let you suppose, Johnny, that I'm grumbling about my lot.
Nobody knows better than you what a trump I got in my wife."

"Of course you did;--an excellent woman."

"And if I cut you out a little there, I'm sure you never felt malice
against me for that."

"Never for a moment, old fellow."

"We all have our luck, you know."

"Your luck has been a wife and family. My luck has been to be a
bachelor."

"You may say a family," said Cradell. "I'm sure that Amelia does the
best she can; but we are desperately pushed sometimes,--desperately
pushed. I never was so bad, Johnny, as I am now."

"So you said last time."

"Did I? I don't remember it. I didn't think I was so bad then.
But, Johnny, if you can let me have one more fiver now I have made
arrangements with Amelia how I'm to pay you off by thirty shillings a
month,--as I get my salary. Indeed I have. Ask her else."

"I'll be shot if I do."

"Don't say that, Johnny."

"It's no good your Johnnying me, for I won't be Johnnyed out of
another shilling. It comes too often, and there's no reason why I
should do it. And what's more, I can't afford it. I've people of my
own to help."

"But oh, Johnny, we all know how comfortable you are. And I'm sure no
one rejoiced as I did when the money was left to you. If it had been
myself I could hardly have thought more of it. Upon my solemn word
and honour if