eamers take you for next to nothing.'

He talked on with the joyous satisfaction of a man whose income is
assured, and whose future teems with a succession of lively holidays.
Reardon could make no answer to such suggestions; he sat with a fixed
smile on his face.

'Have you heard,' said Carter, presently, 'that we're opening a branch
of the hospital in the City Road?'

'No; I hadn't heard of it.'

'It'll only be for out-patients. Open three mornings and three evenings
alternately.'

'Who'll represent you there?''I shall look in now and then, of course;
there'll be a clerk, like at the old place.'

He talked of the matter in detail--of the doctors who would attend, and
of certain new arrangements to be tried.

'Have you engaged the clerk?' Reardon asked.

'Not yet. I think I know a man who'll suit me, though.'

'You wouldn't be disposed to give me the chance?'

Reardon spoke huskily, and ended with a broken laugh.

'You're rather above my figure nowadays, old man!' exclaimed Carter,
joining in what he considered the jest.

'Shall you pay a pound a week?'

'Twenty-five shillings. It'll have to be a man who can be trusted to
take money from the paying patients.'

'Well, I am serious. Will you give me the place?'

Carter gazed at him, and checked another laugh.

'What the deuce do you mean?'

'The fact is,' Reardon replied, 'I want variety of occupation. I can't
stick at writing for more than a month or two at a time. It's because I
have tried to do so that--well, practically, I have broken down. If you
will give me this clerkship, it will relieve me from the necessity of
perpetually writing novels; I shall be better for it in every way. You
know that I'm equal to the job; you can trust me; and I dare say I shall
be more useful than most clerks you could get.'

It was done, most happily done, on the first impulse. A minute more of
pause, and he could not have faced the humiliation. His face burned, his
tongue was parched.

'I'm floored!' cried Carter. 'I shouldn't have thought--but of course,
if you really want it. I can hardly believe yet that you're serious,
Reardon.'

'Why not? Will you promise me the work?'

'Well, yes.'

'When shall I have to begin?'

'The place'll be opened to-morrow week. But how about your holiday?'

'Oh, let that stand over. It'll be holiday enough to occupy myself in a
new way. An old way, too; I shall enjoy it.'

He laughed merrily, relieved beyond measure at hav