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           IneednotsayhowdearCarriereceivedthisjoyfulnews.Withperfectsimplicityshesaid:“Atlastweshallbeabletohaveachimney-glassforthebackdrawing-room,whichwealwayswanted.”Iadded:“Yes,andatlastyoushallhavethatlittlecostumewhichyousawatPeterRobinson’ssocheap.”

           January2.—Iwasinagreatstateofsuspensealldayattheoffice.IdidnotliketoworryMr.Perkupp;butashedidnotsendforme,andmentionedyesterdaythathewouldseemeagaintoday,Ithoughtitbetter,perhaps,togotohim.Iknockedathisdoor,andonentering,Mr.Perkuppsaid:“Oh!it’syou,Mr.Pooter;doyouwanttoseeme?”Isaid:“No,sir,Ithoughtyouwantedtoseeme!”“Oh!”hereplied,“Iremember.Well,Iamverybusytoday;Iwillseeyoutomorrow.”

           January3.—Stillinastateofanxietyandexcitement,whichwasnotalleviatedbyascertainingthatMr.Perkuppsentwordheshouldnotbeattheofficetoday.Intheevening,Lupin,whowasbusilyengagedwithapaper,saidsuddenlytome:“Doyouknowanythingaboutchalkpits,Guv.?”Isaid:“No,myboy,notthatI’mawareof.”Lupinsaid:“Well,Igiveyouthetip;chalkpitsareassafeasConsols,andpaysixpercent.atpar.”Isaidaratherneatthing,viz.:“TheyMaybesixpercent.atpar,butyourpahasnomoneytoinvest.”CarrieandIbothroaredwithlaughter.