He then said-- "If just the same to you, it will be more convenient for me to return this money on the day after to-morrow." There was a slight contraction of brow on the part of Mr.A--, who replied, rather coldly-- "I shall want it to-day, Mr.Ellis." "Oh, very well--very well," said Ellis, hiding artfully his disappointment.

"It will be all the same.

I will send you around a check in a little while." As he left the store, A-- said to himself-- "Of all things, I like to see punctuality in the matter of engagements.
The man who promises to return in an hour the money he borrows from you should keep his word to the minute." The failure to get a few days' extension of time on so important a sum had the effect to dispirit Ellis a good deal.

He left the store of the merchant in a despondent mood, and was returning towards his own place of business, when he met Wilkinson.

Grasping the hand of the latter with the eagerness of one who knows, in a great extremity, that he is face to face with a real friend, he said-- "You must help me to-day." "I don't see that it is possible, Ellis," was replied.