e.

During the day an important telegram arrived at the office, which kept
the partners closeted together in the inner-room for an hour, in earnest
conference, at the end of which time Hawkesbury was sent for.

Doubleday, who had seen the telegram, told me it was to say that a
vessel reported lost had turned up, with a cargo which was now double
the value in the market it would have been had she arrived when
expected. However, there were points connected with the insurance and
other matters which would require the presence of one of the firm at
Liverpool, and this was evidently the object of the present
confabulation.

"A year ago," said Doubleday, "they would have sent me. But now the
darling comes in for all the trips."

Which proved to be the case now. Hawkesbury emerged from the inner-room
with an important face, and told the junior clerk (I no longer held that
distinguished post), to fetch a hansom immediately. Doubleday nudged
me.

"If it was you or me, I fancy we'd fetch our own hansoms, eh! Never
mind, we've neither of us got uncles."

"Haven't we?" said I, laughing. "I have."

"Ah--so have I, for the matter of that. Three--all as poor as church
mice too. I mean we've not got uncles in the firm. But what puzzles me
is, what is to become of the petty-cash? I suppose I'm to be favoured
with that job during his lordship's absence. I shall certainly cover
the book with crape."

"Batchelor," called Hawkesbury at that moment, just putting his head out
of the door of his box, "will you step here, please?"

Doubleday nudged me again, harder than ever.

"I say," said he, with glee, "you're to be sent too to carry his bag--
see if you aren't."

However, Doubleday was wrong for once. The honour he prophesied was not
reserved for me. But another was, almost as surprising.

"Batchelor," said Hawkesbury, almost in his old wheedling tone, "I shall
be away for three or four days. I'll get you to keep the petty-cash
accounts till I return. I won't leave the regular book out, as I have
not time to balance it. You can enter anything on a separate paper,
which I will copy in when I return. There is L3 in the cash-box now.
You had better keep it locked up in your desk."

I could not help being surprised that he should fix on me of all persons
to undertake this responsibility for him during his absence. It seemed
so much more naturally to devolve on its former guardian that I could
not help asking,