The Continent won't be so hot for travelling if we don't start till the end of August..." _Vivie:_ "_Then_, dearest ...

in case you don't come to the office any more this week, I'll say good-bye--for--for some time..." (They grip hands, they hesitate, then kiss each other on the cheek, a very rare gesture on either's part--and separate with tears in their eyes.) The following Monday morning, Bertie Adams, combining in his adolescent person the functions of office boy, junior clerk, and general factotum, entered the outer office of Fraser and Warren and found this letter on his desk:-- Fraser and Warren Midland Insurance Chambers, General Inquiry Agents 88-90, Chancery Lane, W.C.
July 12, 1901.
DEAR BERTIE-- I want to prepare you for something.

If you had been an ordinary Office boy, I should not have bothered about you or confided to you anything concerning the Firm.

But you are by now almost a clerk, and from the day I joined Miss Fraser in this business, you have helped me more than you know--helped me not only in my work, but to understand that there _can_ be good, true, decent-minded, trustworthy ...

you won't like it if I say "boys" ...