"He had some extra business to finish."
It was business of his own, not office business; and Tom finding out that he would be walking home a couple of hours later, had arranged to join him that he might have this account to give of himself.
"You know I do not like you to be too much with that young man. He is not religious. In fact, I believe him to be quite worldly. Does he ever go to church?"
"I don't know, mother. He's not a bad sort of fellow."
"He is a bad sort of fellow, and the less you are with him the better."
"I can't help being with him in the office, you know, mother."
"You need not be with him after office hours."
"Well, no; perhaps not. But it would look strange to avoid him."
"I thought you had more strength of character, Thomas."
"I—I—I spoke very seriously to him this morning, mother."