what to do if you won't accept that," I faltered.

"Three shillings a week, _secured_," said the tailor, "would meet the
case, I think. What do you think?"

"I could never keep it up, I fear," said I; "but I'd try."

"Thank you, sir. You draw your salary weekly, I believe?"

"Yes," I said.

"Oh, then, if I just look in and see one of the principals and explain,
he'll stop the three shillings a week for me, which will save all
trouble. What time are they generally at home?"

The cool resolve of the man to make my employers a party to my debt
positively terrified me. I begged him to give up the idea, promised
wildly to do all sorts of things to pay him, and entreated him to give
me more time.

He was politely inexorable. "Pleased to oblige you, but, after a year,
we must look after our little accounts, mustn't we? Let's see, to-
morrow I'm engaged. I'll look in on Friday and settle it."

No argument or entreaty of mine could make him understand such a step
would be ruination to me. He was firmly convinced a guarantee from the
firm would be the best security for his money, and so, simply
disregarding all my protests and appeals, gaily promised to see me again
on Friday.

What was I to do? My only hope was in my uncle's answer, and that, as
the reader knows, was small enough.

The following morning it arrived. It was brief, and to the point:--

"Dear Nephew,--I hold that lads of your age cannot learn too soon that
the people to pay debts are those who make them. I return your list, as
it may be useful.

"Yours,--

"F. Jakeman."

It was what I had expected. 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. "I was just passing this way, and
thought I'd see how you were getting on. No orders, I suppose? None of
your young gentlemen want a nice cheap suit? Pleased to make you a
consideration for the introduction. If one or two of