"They're getting a man," went on George, "who will fill an honourable position with honour. The right man, too. For secretary you must have a man who is punctual, a teetotaler, and——"
"Oh, but Jim isn't——"
"Don't interrupt, Emily," said Gray, irritably; "you know what he means."
"But he said——"
"Oh, don't argue! What's the time? I want to run out for half an hour. I suppose you'll come as far as the corner—er—George?"
"Jimmy, old friend," said George, with an affectionate glance, "you know I will."
The next morning George and his landlord travelled to town together. Gray didn't take at all kindly to the new arrangement, but gave vent to his feelings in sudden outbursts of profanity.
"I suppose I'm going to have you hanging to me like a leech as long as I've got a penny in my pocket," he said bitterly.
George looked hurt. "It's your company I want, Jimmy," he said meekly. "A bachelor wants a cheerful pal. You ought to know that, you've been a bachelor yourself."
"You'll have to clear out," said Gray, darkly. "I won't have you in my house, I tell you straight."