"Beautiful, sir," said the youth.
"Too fine to sit in a stuffy office," continued the other. "Put on your hat and go out and enjoy yourself."
"Sir?" said the amazed Bassett.
"Take a half holiday," said Vyner, still smiling.
"Thank you, sir," said Bassett, "but I don't care for holidays; and, besides, I've got a lot of work to do."
"Do it to-morrow," said Vyner. "Go on—out you go!"
"It can't be done to-morrow, sir," said the youth, almost tearfully. "I've got all the letters to copy, and a pile of other work. And besides I shouldn't know what to do with myself if I went."
Mr. Vyner eyed him in astonishment. "I'm sorry to find a tendency to disobedience in you, Bassett," he said, at last. "I've noticed it before. And as to saying that you wouldn't know what to do with yourself, it's a mere idle excuse."
"What time have I got to go, sir?" asked Bassett, resignedly.
"Time?" exclaimed the other. "Now, at once. Avaunt!"