“You really believed, then, what Mr. Miller told you?” The conductor came, and returned to each the green cardboard covers enclosing their tickets. Under the impression that Chiswell was still a blade, a chum, a jovial companion, the conductor aimed at him a cheerful blow on the shoulder, and the train giving at this moment a lurch, the action took something of a more aggressive nature. Chiswell blazed up, trying to disengage himself from his coat. Other passengers in the saloon looked around interestedly; Miss Everitt interposed and ordered Chiswell to behave himself, to remember that he was in the presence of ladies. The conductor apologised and went on; the French passengers remarked to each other that the English formed an excitable nation. “Pardon me,” said Chiswell to his companion, “but I should like to know your facts. I should be very glad indeed if you’ll kindly place me in possession of the true circumstances. To put it plainly—here’s your pencil—how much have you actually got in the bank on deposit, or on current account at the present moment? That’s all I want to know.” She struck out his figures and wrote underneath. Leaning over he gave a whistle of astonishment. “My dear,” he said deferentially. “There’s been a misunderstanding, due to the interference of outsiders. It’s not too late to put it all smooth and right again, but at the same time I’m bound to say such conduct is altogether inexcusable. When I come across Miller, I shall tell him so to his face. Who asked him to come to me, and give me wrong information, I should like to know?” “I did!” she remarked. “But I’ve just made up for it by giving correct information on another subject to my young mistress.” Chiswell threw himself back in his chair, and gazed severely at the roof of the saloon carriage. “All I can say is,” he declared, “it’s absolutely ruined my lunch.” XI—COUNTER ATTRACTIONS HALF the time I don’t trouble to look up at them, especially when I happen to be busy. They put their money underneath the brass wire; they ask for what they want; it’s given to them, and off they go. If any other plan was adopted we should never get through the work at our office, and there would be complaints to answer, and the superintendent might send some one along to kick up a row. As Miss Maitland says, when all the customers are made on one pattern everything will be much easier to manage; meanwhile we can’t do better than to do the best we can, and to recognise that some are in a hurry, some are just the reverse. “Above all,” mentioned Miss Maitland, when I first came here, “no carrying on across the counter with young gentlemen.” “When you’ve known me longer, Miss Maitland,” I said, “you’ll see how unnecessary it is to make a remark like that.” “I’m only warning you for your own good.” “I can behave myself,” I said, “as well as most girls. The fact that I’m a bit above the average in regard to looks—”