nd besides, it'll do his credit good getting
anything by post."

Accordingly, on his way to the leather business, whither he proceeded
(according to his thrifty habit) on foot, Morris purchased and
despatched a single copy of that enlivening periodical, to which (in a
sudden pang of remorse) he added at random the _Athenaeum_, the
_Revivalist_, and the _Penny Pictorial Weekly_. So there was John set up
with literature, and Morris had laid balm upon his conscience.

As if to reward him, he was received in his place of business with good
news. Orders were pouring in; there was a run on some of the back stock,
and the figure had gone up. Even the manager appeared elated. As for
Morris, who had almost forgotten the meaning of good news, he longed to
sob like a little child; he could have caught the manager (a pallid man
with startled eyebrows) to his bosom; he could have found it in his
generosity to give a cheque (for a small sum) to every clerk in the
counting-house. As he sat and opened his letters a chorus of airy
vocalists sang in his brain, to most exquisite music, "This whole
concern may be profitable yet, profitable yet, profitable yet."

To him, in this sunny moment of relief, enter a Mr. Rodgerson, a
creditor, but not one who was expected to be pressing, for his
connection with the firm was old and regular.

"O, Finsbury," said he, not without embarrassment, "it's of course only
fair to let you know--the fact is, money is a trifle tight--I have some
paper out--for that matter, every one's complaining--and in short----"

"It has never been our habit, Rodgerson," said Morris, turning pale.
"But give me time to turn round, and I'll see what I can do; I daresay
we can let you have something to account."

"Well, that's just where it is," replied Rodgerson. "I was tempted; I've
let the credit out of my hands."

"Out of your hands?" repeated Morris. "That's playing rather fast and
loose with us, Mr. Rodgerson."

"Well, I got cent. for cent. for it," said the other, "on the nail, in a
certified cheque."

"Cent. for cent.!" cried Morris. "Why, that's something like thirty per
cent. bonus; a singular thing! Who's the party?"

"Don't know the man," was the reply. "Name of Moss."

"A Jew," Morris reflected, when his visitor was gone. And what could a
Jew want with a claim of--he verified the amount in the books--a claim
of three five eight, nineteen, ten, against the house of Finsbury? And
why should he pay cent.