George said that he was glad to hear it.
"I suppose you've given up the secretaryship of the Old Friends' Club?" he said severely.
"Perhaps I have, perhaps I haven't," said Gray, who resented this catechism. "I shall give it up when it suits me; and this job, too, when I feel inclined."
"Don't do anything rash, now," said George; "I don't want to interfere with your affairs. You know that's not my way."
"Of course I do," said Gray; "you wouldn't think of such a thing."
"All I want, Gray," said George, "is to see you on the right path. You've got a good wife, a good home, and a good income. Stick fast to your business, and you'll be a successful man. Punctuality, perseverance, and temperance are the three rules for success, as you've heard me say many times. You have seen me climb the ladder step by step, until I have reached my present position. How has it been done? I need not tell you, Gray."
"No," said Gray; "I'd rather you didn't."
"Don't be afraid that I shall interfere with you," said George; "I know that I can trust you to go along the straight path. As I said to my wife the other day, 'If there's one man in the firm I can trust, it's James Gray.'"
"Thanks," said Gray. "If you've quite finished, I'll go down and send up somebody else."
Left alone, George Early smiled to himself, ruminated for a few moments, and then proceeded to examine the papers before him.