As he tendered me a chair, a shorter and younger gentleman, who was writing at another desk, sprang from his seat, and slapping me familiarly on the back, exclaimed: 'My dear fellow, how are you?' 'Very well, Cragin; how are _you_?' I replied, returning his cordial greeting. 'Good as new--never better in my life. It's good for one's health to see you _here_.' 'I have come at Mr. Hallet's invitation.' 'Yes, I know, Hallet has told me you've a smart boy you want us to take. Send him along. Boston's the place to train a youngster to business.' The last speaker was not more than thirty, but a bald spot on the top of his head, and a slight falling-in of his mouth, caused by premature decay of the front teeth, made him seem several years older. He had marked but not regular features, and a restless, dark eye, that opened and shut with a peculiar wink, which kept time with the motion of his lips in speaking. His clothes were cut in a loose, jaunty style, and his manner, though brusque and abrupt, betokened, like his face, a free, frank, whole-souled character. He was several years the junior of the other, and as unlike him as one man can be unlike another. The older gentleman, as I have said, was tall and dark. He had a high, bold forehead, a pale, sallow complexion, and wore heavy gray whiskers, trimmed with the utmost nicety, and meeting under a sharp, narrow chin. His face was large, his jaws wide, and his nose pointed and prominent, but his mouth was small and gathered in at the corners like a rat's; and, as if to add to the rat resemblance, its puny, white teeth seemed borrowed from that animal. There was a stately precision in his manner and a stealthy softness in his tread not often seen in combination, which might have impressed a close observer as indicative of a bold, pompous, and yet cunning character. These two gentlemen--Mr. Hallet and Mr. Cragin--were the only surviving partners of the great house of Russell, Rollins & Co. 'Have you brought him with you?' asked Hallet, his voice trembling a little, and his pale face flushing slightly as he spoke. 'No, sir,' I replied; 'I thought I would confer with you first. I have not yet broached the subject to the lad.' Some unimportant conversation followed, when Hallet, turning to Cragin, asked: 'Are all the letters written for tomorrow's steamers?' 'Yes,' said Cragin, rising; 'and I believe I'll leave you two together. As you've not spoken for ten years, you must have a good deal to say. Come, David,' he called out, as he drew on his outside coat, 'let's go.' 'No, don't take David,' I exclaimed; 'I want to talk with the old gentleman.' 'But you can see him to-morrow.' 'No, I return in the morning.' 'Well, David, I'll tell Alice you'll be home by nine.' 'Oh, that's it,' I said, laughing. 'It's Alice who makes you leave so early on steamer night.'