But Arthur was giving all his attention to his mother just now, and would not hear what Molly was saying, until she insisted upon his giving his opinion upon a question she had to propose.
"Arthur, don't you remember what we used to say when we were little children about finding a thing giving the right to keep it?"
"Oh, never mind about that now!" said Arthur. "If you have found that sixpence I lost upstairs last night, you may keep it."
"But suppose somebody else found it?" proposed Molly.
"Oh well, if Alice found it, she may keep it!" said Arthur in a weary tone.
"Molly, do let him have a little peace," put in Annie. "You can see he looks tired. Have your dinner, Arthur, and go and lie down until a quarter to three; that will give you time to reach Mr. Andrews' office by three o'clock."
And Annie took care to serve her brother first.
Arthur was glad to take the hint and have a quiet hour in his own room.
At three o'clock he was at Mr. Andrews' place of business, and was about to pass quickly through the outer office, as there were several people sitting on the bench waiting, when the senior clerk, Phillips, stopped him.
"Wait one minute, Mr. Arthur," he said. "The governor has something to finish for the next post, and he asked me to detain you here for a moment until his bell was rung. Do you know any of those people?" whispered Phillips, glancing in the direction of the bench. "Look round in a minute, as though you were looking at the picture on the wall opposite," said the old clerk.