While listening to a tale of woe

Salt tears within his eyes would stand.

Naught, naught his sympathies could stem,

And he would only charge—ahem!—

A paltry six-and-eight to them.

This gentleman, as I observed,

Was calmly seated at his work,

When, from the waiting-room, a card

Was brought in by the junior clerk.

"Nathaniel Blobbs? Pray ask him to