and thither; I looked up at the first floor of that very superior
house, used solely by principals, where I often had my lunch, and
again crossed London Bridge on my way back. London Bridge at half-
past one! I do not suppose I had ever been there at half-past one
in my life. I saw a crowd still passing both southwards and
northwards. At half-past nine it all went one way and at half-past
six another. It was the morning and evening crowd which was the
people to me. These half-past one o'clock creatures were strange to
me, loafers, nondescripts. I was faint and sick when I reached
home, for I walked all the way, and after vainly trying to eat
something went straight to bed. But the next post brought me a note
saying that Jackman and Larkins were willing to engage me at a
salary of 100 pounds a year--much more, it was added, than they
would have paid for more efficient service, but conceded as a
recognition of the past. The truth was, as I afterwards found out,
that Larkins persuaded Jackman that it would increase their
reputation to take old Whittaker. Larkins too had become a little
tired of soliciting orders, and I could act as his substitute. I
was known to nearly all the houses with which they did business and
very likely should gain admittance where a stranger would be denied.
My hours would be long, from nine till seven, and must be observed
rigidly. Instead of my three-and-sixpenny lunch I should now have
to take in my pocket whatever I wanted in the middle of the day.
For dinner I must substitute a supper--a meal which did not suit me.
I should have to associate with clerks, to meet as a humble
subordinate those with whom I was formerly intimate as an equal; but
all this was overlooked, and I was happy, happy as I had not been
for months.

It was on a Wednesday when I received my appointment, and on Monday