MR. SMEETH GETS HIS RISE 277

'Though it's—er—only fair to tell you that Mr. Golspie
did mention it to me. But, as a matter of fact, I'd prac-
tically made up my mind then. He mentioned you, and
he also mentioned Miss Matfield. He seemed to think
she had been doing some very good work."

4'Miss Matfield's been working very well, sir. And she
certainly isn't getting as much as she might. We promised
her a rise, if possible, after the first six months, when she
was taken on."

"Well, I thought from now on, we'd give her three
ten instead of three pounds. Perhaps you'll tell her,
Smeeth. Do it quietly. I don't think I can give Turgis
any more yet."

"He's improving, Mr. Dersingham."

''Hell have to wait, though. As for you, Smeeth, I
thought we'd make it three seventy-five for you."

This was a fine rise, well over a pound a week.
'Thank you very much, Mr. Dersingham. I'm sure 111
do my best—"

But Mr. Dersingham, large, pink, benevolent, cut him
short with a friendly wave of the hand. 'That's all
right, Smeeth. I hope it won't be the last, either. You'll
rise with the firm, and at the present rate there's no
telling where we shall land. Mr. Golspie has suggested
several side-lines, quite profitable, handled properly, and
I propose to look into our end of it while he's away. Oh
-by the way—I think those increases, both yours and
Miss Matfield's, had better begin this fortnight, eh?"

At odd intervals throughout the day, Mr. Smeeth
thought about this extra money and delightedly con-
sidered what might be done with it. He was, of course,
all in favour of saving it. They lived comfortably as,
they were, but they saved little or nothing, and now at