Gradually the number of customers in the shop lessened, one after another they went out, most of them carrying parcels. Already the shutters were being put up, and the wearied assistants, with an air of relief, began to roll up the materials they had been displaying, and to carry things back to their places. Still Reuben had to wait many minutes ere Owen was at liberty to come to him. When at last he came, he looked pale and jaded, and the smile with which he greeted Reuben seemed forced. "Come outside, old fellow," he said quickly; "every one is on the move now, and we cannot talk here." "I need not keep you, Owen," said Reuben; "I only came to ask if you could let me have the five shillings I lent you. Have you forgotten it?" Owen lifted his hand with a quick movement, as though to check Reuben's words; then looked round uneasily as he said, "All right! We'll talk about that outside; there is no need to acquaint all these fellows with my private affairs." But no one was near enough to them to have heard what Reuben said. Without another word, he followed Owen into the open air. Then, as they turned along the street, Owen began to talk away to him so fast that Reuben had difficulty in getting in a word. "What do you think of our shop?" he asked, without waiting for Reuben's reply. "Smart, isn't it? I can tell you we do a rattling good trade. I've had to work hard, I know, since I was promoted to be cashier." "How long have you been cashier?" Reuben managed to ask. "Oh, only since Christmas. The other fellow fell ill; that was how I got the post. It was a stroke of good luck for me, for of course it means better pay, though I have to work hard. But I was always quick at accounts, you know, so the book-keeping comes easy to me. The manager is pleased with the way I do the work; he told me so last week. But here's a pub. Let's go in and have a drink. One wants one badly enough after pegging all day in that close shop." "You forget that I am a teetotaler," said Reuben. "What, are you still? I should have thought you would have given up that nonsense when you came to town. I signed the pledge myself, years ago, at Ashworth, but I am wiser now. As if a man cannot be trusted to take care of himself! He is a poor creature who cannot tell when he has had enough and leave off drinking." "There are a good many such poor creatures about," remarked Reuben gravely. "Do your father and mother know, Owen, that you have broken the pledge?" "I should like to know what that is to you," exclaimed Owen, suddenly getting angry. "You just leave my father and mother alone, Reuben Roy. It's no business of yours what they know or do not know." "You are right," said Reuben, quietly. "My business with you, this evening, Owen, is to ask you to return the five shillings I lent you."