"Did thee not hear the master calling to thee?"
William had certainly heard Mr. Ashley's voice; but it was so unusual to be called by it, that he had paid no attention. He had very little communication with Mr. Ashley; in the three or four weeks he had now been at the manufactory Mr. Ashley had not spoken to him a dozen words. He hastened into the counting-house, taking off his cap in the presence of Mr. Ashley.
"Have the men gone to tea?" inquired Mr. Ashley, who was sealing a letter.
"Yes, sir," replied William.
"Is George Dance gone?" George Dance was an apprentice, and it was his business to take the letters to the post.
"They are all gone, sir, except Mr. Lynn; and James Meeking, who is waiting to lock up."
"Do you know the post-office?"
"Oh, yes, sir. It is in West Street, at the other end of the town."
"Take this letter, and put it carefully in."
William received the letter from Mr. Ashley, and dropped it into his jacket pocket. It was addressed to Bristol; the London mail-bags were already made up. Mr. Ashley put on his hat and departed, followed by Samuel Lynn and William. James Meeking locked up, as it was his invariable business to do, and carried the keys into his own house. He inhabited part of the ground floor of the premises.