d he wished that he might lie in such repose
forever. He dreaded thought of the days to come, for he had had a
glimpse of sedentary slavery.

"Oh, pshaw!" he murmured, and ebbed out into Dreamland.

The next morning he awakened late, and did not wait for breakfast. He
was the last man to work.

"We begin operations here at nine, Nelson," said Castle, as the new man
walked past him.

Evan stopped and looked back, but said nothing. He was not in a humor
to explain his semi-sickness to one like Alfred Castle.

"We were waiting for you," said Key; "jump in, old man."

Although he had little idea where he should jump, Evan plunged, like a
reckless diver, and fought his way through the previous day's work as
best he could. Bill took advantage of a strip of smooth sailing to
steal away and have a smoke in the basement. Soon Key found Evan
hesitating over the work, and hollered impatiently:

"Hang that man Watson, where is he?"

Stimulated by the slang Evan made a great effort to qualify. Key
noticed his earnestness, and softened.

"I beg pardon, old chap," he said, "you'll be all right in a few days."

Thereafter they were good friends. Whenever Evan wanted to know
anything he went to the little grey-haired discount clerk and had it
explained.

The day after his off-day Robb was on duty, working away silently and
morosely. During the slight hill that marked the noon-hour he walked
back to the cash-book desk to see Evan. His coming was welcome, for
the third teller had just dumped twenty-odd sterling draft requisitions
into the cash-book dish.

"Heavens!" said Robb, "they certainly load you down with work, Nelson.
Have you eaten lunch yet?"

"No, I forgot to buy one when the kid was in." He didn't say he had
also missed breakfast.

"Send out and get something," said Robb; "I'll make out these drafts
for you. This isn't work for the cash book, anyway. I don't see why
in ---- they want to kill a man."

Robb's face was grey. He ground his teeth as he ripped the first draft
from the pad. As he worked he talked to Evan, who was swallowing dry
slices of bread with mustard and stray ligaments of gristle sandwiched
between.

"Nelson," he said, "how would you like to come up and room with me?"

Evan's eyes opened with interest.

"Fine," he replied, "if it wouldn't cost too much."

"How much salary do you draw?"

"Three fifty."

Robb turned and gazed at his young friend.

"By G--!" he cried, "t