Mr Murphy felt well when he was in motion. Walking with great dignity from office to office, conscious of the eyes of others upon him, was good for him. Aware of being a symbol of success he forgot his pains and some of his worries.
As he went into the Statistical office he could feel the atmosphere change. The clerks and typists became busy.
Mr Murphy went to his desk. “Any calls?” he asked.
Caroline shook her head. When she shook, her breasts quivered slightly. Mr Murphy noticed this and his stomach constricted with pain. Emotion was bad for him, according to the doctors. He looked away and tried to think of something else.
“No, there weren’t any calls. Some memorandums came in from the other sections but that was all.”
“Any letters?” He thought of his family.
“Yes.” Caroline sounded surprised. “Right there on your desk. Right where I always put them.”
“Oh, yes.” Mr Murphy sat down at his desk and looked at the pile of neat businesslike envelopes. He had no desire to open them.
Caroline typed rhythmically at her desk.
“Say, Caroline....”