"Your work reflects great credit on you, Mr. Bates," he remarked approvingly. "I shall be proud to wear them. Do you think you are equally skilful at washing up plates and dishes?" "I think so, sir," said Mr. Bates meekly. "Well, we may as well make certain, eh? Suppose you collect some of these and bring them into the scullery." He pushed open a third door, and turned on a switch. "There is a gas-stove in here, so we can have plenty of hot water in a few minutes." Scraping the various remnants from the plates and dishes, Mr. Bates heaped the latter up into two piles and carried them into the scullery. The Professor meanwhile had filled a large washing-up pan with water and placed it on the stove. "While we are waiting for it to boil," he said, "you might tell me a little more about your past history. In view of your accomplishments, how did Mr. Houghton ever bring himself to part with you?" "Please, sir, he died." "A pity," said the Professor. "But surely you should have found little difficulty in obtaining another place?" Mr. Bates hung his head. The Professor looked at him. "Ah," he said, after a short pause. "I thought there must be some reason. Come, Mr. Bates, what's the trouble? Never be afraid to speak the truth." "I was out of a place for about three months, sir, and--and my wife got very ill, sir, and I had spent all my savings. The doctor said that the only chance of saving her was to send her out of London. I went to call on a gentleman about a place, and while I was waiting, sir, I--I--I saw a couple of sovereigns on the mantelpiece, and I took them, sir." "That was very wrong of you, Mr. Bates," said the Professor. "Yes, sir." "What happened?" "The money was missed, and I was arrested, sir. The magistrate was very good to me. He might have sent me to prison, but he only bound me over. I am very grateful to him, sir. Still, that finished me as far as work was concerned, sir." "And your wife?" Mr. Bates suddenly began to cry. "My wife is dead, sir." "Dear me," said the Professor, turning his head away, "dear me!" There was a short pause, during which Mr. Bates began mechanically to wash up. The Professor sat in silence while plate after plate was cleaned and put aside. When both piles were finished, he looked up at the small clock which was ticking away on the mantelpiece. The time was about five-and-twenty minutes to seven. "It is a little early for breakfast," he remarked, "but I think that, as you are here, Mr. Bates, I will take advantage of the fact by getting you to cook me some eggs and bacon. There ought to be plenty, unless Andrew has excelled himself." "Yes, sir," said Mr. Bates. The Professor went out into the larder, returning almost immediately with the required provisions. "If you will cook these," he said, "I will go on with laying the table." "Oh, don't you trouble, sir--I can do it, sir," protested Mr. Bates.