“How could I have heard it, sir, if you hadn’t? I only did my duty.”
“Yes, yes, of course, of course, Crampton. Really I am very, very sorry.”
“And only just before I left the room you were complaining about people digging up the old trouble.”
“Come, Crampton, I can deny that. I apologise for thinking aloud, but it was you who spoke of digging up the old trouble.”
“Ah! well, it doesn’t matter, sir. It was my birthday just as you were at your worst. Seventy-five, Mr Van Heldre, sir, and you can’t be troubled with such a blundering old clerk much longer.”
“My dear Crampton—”
“May I come in?” followed by three thumps with a heavy stick.
Crampton hurried to the outer office to confront Uncle Luke.
“Met your messenger just outside, and saved him from going up. How much did you give him? He ought to pay that back.”
“Oh, never mind that, Luke. How are you?”