I saw it was no use resisting.

Even the Imports were standing on their stools and looking over the screen.

So I took out my handkerchief and, with a groan, plunged it into the spilt ink.
Doubleday and the clerks evidently appreciated this act of devotion, and encouraged me with considerable laughter.

My handkerchief and my hand were soon both the colour of the fluid they were wiping up, and my frame of mind was nearly as black.
"Now then," said Doubleday, "aren't you nearly done?
See if there's any gone down the crack there.

Is there ?" I stooped down to inspect the crack in question, and as I did so Mr Doubleday adroitly slipped his pen under my soaking handkerchief, and, by a sudden jerk, lifted it right into my face.
At the same moment the door opened and Mr Barnacle entered! He looked round for a moment sharply, and then, passing on to the inner-room, said, "Doubleday, bring the two new office-boys into my room." If I had heard just the sentence of death pronounced on me I could hardly have been more horrified.