Gilray has no idea of keeping them in order." As he went out he cannoned against an elderly gentleman in a white waistcoat, who was being shown in, and who ricochetted off him into the office, where he shook hands heartily with the elder Girdlestone.
It was evident from the laboured cordiality of the latter's greeting that the new-comer was a man of some importance.

He was, indeed, none other than the well-known philanthropist, Mr.Jefferson Edwards, M.P.
for Middlehurst, whose name upon a bill was hardly second to that of Rothschild.
"How do, Girdlestone, how do ?" he exclaimed, mopping his face with his handkerchief.

He was a fussy little man, with a brusque, nervous manner.

"Hard at it as usual, eh?
Always pegging away.

Wonderful man.
Ha, ha! Wonderful!" "You look warm," the merchant answered, rubbing his hands.