THEY GO HOME 551

important he wanted to say.

"Shut the door, Smeeth," said Mr. Dersingham, who
did not look so pink and cheerful as usual. "Oh, look
here-have they nearly finished out there?"
"Just clearing up, sir,"

"All right, then," said Mr. Dersingham wearily.
"Have I signed everything? Tell 'em to let me have
everything that must go off to-night, will you? I want
'em to clear out, and leave us alone. Do that now. Just
get them to finish up as quick as possible."

Wondering, rather apprehensive now, Mr. Smeeth
bustled to and fro with letters to be signed, hurried on
Miss Sellers and the boy, and in ten minutes had every-
thing signed, copied, sealed up, and stamped. "Yes. yes,"
he told them, "that'll be all. You can go now. That's
right. Good night, Miss Matfield. What's that? Yes, I
remember. Mr. Dersingham said you could have to-
morrow morning off, didn't he? Off for the week-end,
eh? Lucky to be some people, Miss Matfield. Yes, yes,
quite all right, good night. Good night, Miss Sellers*
And—what's your name—Gregory, don't forget you've
got three registereds there; bring me the receipts in the
morning. No, that'll do. Good night, good night/' H?
returned to the private office. "All finished now, Mr*
Dersingham. Yes, all gone/'

"All right, Smeeth. Bring the order book in, then the
other books. Bring the order book in first."

It looked as if he was going to have a little stocktaking
and general survey of the business, a very wise thing to
do too, now and again. Mr. Smeeth hoped that he would
not be kept long, but otherwise he was quite pleased and
proud, for there was nothing he liked better than these
confidential talks about the business, and he was glad to