A slight fillip was given to Robert's waning enthusiasm by the arrival of new furniture for his room. A large mahogany writing-table, full of drawers and pigeon-holes, gave him a pleasant sense of importance, and the revolving chair which went with it afforded a welcome relief to a young and ardent nature. Twice the office-boy had caught the junior partner, with his legs tucked up to avoid collisions, whirling wildly around, and had waited respectfully at the door for the conclusion of the performance.
"It goes a bit stiff, Bassett," said the junior partner.
"Yessir," said Bassett.
"I'm trying to ease it a bit," explained Mr. Robert.
"Yessir," said Bassett again.
Mr. Robert regarded him closely. An undersized boy in spectacles, with a large head and an air of gravity and old age on his young features, which the junior thought somewhat ill-placed for such an occasion.
"I suppose you never twizzle round on your chair, Bassett?" he said, slowly.
Bassett shivered at the idea. "No, sir," he said, solemnly; "I've got my work to do."
Mr. Robert sought for other explanations. "And, of course, you have a stool," he remarked; "you couldn't swing round on that."