Chapter Fourteen.
How Smith went Home and I took Part in an Evening Party.
Two days after the events recorded in the last chapter something happened which materially affected the course of my life in London.
Smith and I were just starting off to the office, after having finally made our submission to Mrs Nash, and induced her, with a promise “never to do it again,” to withdraw her threat to turn us out, when the postman appeared coming round the corner.
It was a comparatively rare sight in Beadle Square, and Jack and I naturally felt our curiosity excited.
“May as well see if there’s anything for me,” said I, who had only once heard from my affectionate relative in six months.
Jack laughed. “I never saw such a fellow,” said he, “for expecting things. It’s just as likely there’s a letter for me as for you.”
At this moment the postman came up with a letter in his hand in apparent perplexity.
“Anything for me?” I said.