There might just
as well have been a tear in his eye, under the circumstances. He
watched the train hurry away, eager to make up for the minute lost in
Banfield; then turned down the board walk toward the bank, with a sigh.

The hotel Evan found his way to, on arriving in the city, was on King
Street West. After checking in his baggage he wandered in some
direction, and, to his surprise, found himself gazing rube-fashion into
the very office to which he was assigned. Half the desks were lighted,
and clerks still worked on them, although it was past ten o'clock.
Evan sighed, like a sleeper who is tired out, and walked further on.
The first cross-street he came to was brilliantly lighted; its life and
gaiety had an effect upon him. He thought there were a great many
people going about. He dropped into a picture-show for over half an
hour, and when he came out the theatre crowds were pouring into the
street. Then he thought the city must be a delightful place to live
in. What a bunch of pretty faces!

About eleven o'clock he worked his way back toward the hotel. He
watched for the bank and found it still full of spectral activity. It
occurred to him that city life must be made up of pleasure and work,
without any rest. He was to find that largely the case.

Wondering what post he would be asked to fill in the main city branch
of his bank, the Banfield teller fell asleep. There is, however, a
somnolence unworthy of the name of sleep. Such was Evan's
unconsciousness. It may have been that he had a more sensitive
temperament than most bankboys, but, at any rate, it is a fact that
whenever anything out of the ordinary occurred in his life of routine
he was cursed with sleeplessness. Dreams had a liking for him, the
kind of dreams that incline to acrobatic feats and magic
transformations. He dreamt, this night as he tossed about, that he and
Henty were driving a herd of cattle up King Street, trying to steer
them toward the bank, where it was desirable to corral them, when
suddenly the kine raised up on their hind legs and became human beings,
many of them with charming faces.

As a result of his hallucinations he was burdened with yawning next
morning. After a light breakfast he set out for the bank, arriving
there at half past eight. Several of the clerks were working. He
rapped on the door, and the janitor, who was dusting, let him in.

"I'm a new man here," he said.

"Another victim, eh?"

Evan