afforded. Nothing could exceed the justice and fidelity of his dealing with
the public. He had even some effects of generosity in his dealing with his
dependants; he furnished them free seats in the churches of their different
persuasions, and he closed every night at six o'clock, except Saturday,
when the shop hands were paid off, and made their purchases for the coming
week.

He stepped lightly before Annie and Mrs. Munger, and pushed open the
ground-glass door of his office for them. It was like a bank parlour,
except for Mrs. Gerrish sitting in her husband's leather-cushioned swivel
chair, with her last-born in her lap; she greeted the others noisily,
without trying to rise.

"You see we are quite at home here," said Mr. Gerrish.

"Yes, and very snug you are, too," said Mrs. Munger, taking one half of the
leather lounge, and leaving the other half to Annie. "I don't wonder Mrs.
Gerrish likes to visit you here."

Mr. Gerrish laughed, and said to his wife, who moved provisionally in her
chair, seeing he had none, "Sit still, my dear; I prefer my usual perch."
He took a high stool beside a desk, and gathered a ruler in his hand.

"Well, I may as well begin at the beginning," said Mrs. Munger, "and I'll
try to be short, for I know that these are business hours."

"Take all the time you want, Mrs. Munger," said Mr. Gerrish affably. "It's
my idea that a good business man's business can go on without him, when
necessary."