I was half-an-hour late at the office, a thing that has never
happened to me before. There has recently been much irregularity
in the attendance of the clerks, and Mr. Perkupp, our principal,
unfortunately choose this very morning to pounce down upon us
early. Someone had given the tip to the others. The result was
that I was the only one late of the lot. Buckling, one of the
senior clerks, was a brick, and I was saved by his intervention.
As I passed by Pitt's desk, I heard him remark to his neighbour:
"How disgracefully late some of the head clerks arrive!" This was,
of course, meant for me. I treated the observation with silence,
simply giving him a look, which unfortunately had the effect of
making both of the clerks laugh. Thought afterwards it would have
been more dignified if I had pretended not to have heard him at
all. Cummings called in the evening, and we played dominoes.

April 12.--Mustard-and-cress and radishes not come up yet. Left
Farmerson repairing the scraper, but when I came home found three
men working. I asked the meaning of it, and Farmerson said that in
making a fresh hole he had penetrated the gas-pipe. He said it was
a most ridiculous place to put the gas-pipe, and the man who did it
evidently knew nothing about his business. I felt his excuse was
no consolation for the expense I shall be put to.

In the evening, after tea, Gowing dropped in, and we had a smoke
together in the breakfast-parlour. Carrie joined us later, but did
not stay long, saying the smoke was too much for her. It was also
rather too much for me, for Gowing had given me what he called a
green cigar, one that his friend Shoemach had just brought over
from America. The cigar didn't look green, but I fancy I must have
done so; for when I had smoked a little more than half I was