"Hadn't you better call as you go to the store? It will be just in your way."
"So it will. Yes, I will call and put the matter in train at once," replied the husband.
With this good intention in his mind, Paul left his dwelling after dinner. He had only gone a couple of squares, however, before it occurred to him that as Mr. C—— had only one session of his school, which let out at two or half-past two, he didn't know which, he of course did not dine before three o'clock, and as it was then just a quarter past three, it would not do to call upon him then; so he kept on to his store, fixing in his mind four o'clock as the hour at which he would call. Four o'clock found Paul deeply buried in a long series of calculations that were not completed for some time afterwards. On leaving his desk, he sat leisurely down in an arm-chair for the purpose of thinking about business. He had not thought long, before the image of Lucy Ellison came up before his mind. He drew out his watch.
"Nearly half-past four, I declare! I'm afraid Mr. C—— is out now; but as it is so late, I will defer calling until I go home; it is just in my way. If I see him, I can drop in upon Mrs. Ellison after tea."
On his way home, Paul fell in with a friend whose conversation was very agreeable. He did not forget Lucy, but he thought a visit to Mr. C—— would accomplish just as much after supper as before. So the call was deferred without a twinge of conscience.
The first words of Mrs. Burgess, on her husband's entrance, were, "Well, dear, what did Mr. C—— say?"
"I haven't been able to see him yet, but I am going round after supper," Paul replied, quickly.
"Indeed! I am sorry. Did you call?"
"No; it occurred to me that C—— dined at three o'clock, so I put it off until four."
"And didn't go then?"