pounds in all. We were doing a famous business now; though when I came
into the office, we used to sit, and laugh, and joke, and read the
newspapers all day; bustling into our seats whenever a stray customer
came. Brough never cared about our laughing and singing _then_, and was
hand and glove with Bob Swinney; but that was in early times, before we
were well in harness.

"Nineteen hundred pounds, and a thousand pounds in shares. Bravo,
Roundhand--bravo, gentlemen! Remember, every share you bring in brings
you five per cent. down on the nail! Look to your friends--stick to your
desks--be regular--I hope none of you forget church. Who takes Mr.
Swinney's place?"

"Mr. Samuel Titmarsh, sir."

"Mr. Titmarsh, I congratulate you. Give me your hand, sir: you are now
twelfth clerk of this Association, and your salary is consequently
increased five pounds a year. How is your worthy mother, sir--your dear
and excellent parent? In good health I trust? And long--long, I
fervently pray, may this office continue to pay her annuity! Remember,
if she has more money to lay out, there is higher interest than the last
for her, for she is a year older; and five per cent. for you, my boy! Why
not you as well as another? Young men will be young men, and a ten-pound
note does no harm. Does it, Mr. Abednego?"

"Oh, no!" says Abednego, who was third clerk, and who was the chap that
informed against Swinney; and he began to laugh, as indeed we all did
whenever Mr. Brough made anything like a joke: not that they _were_
jokes; only we used to know it by his face.