"And it does one's eyes good to look upon your pleasant face," returned Wilkinson, as he grasped the other's hand. "Where have you kept yourself?" "Oh, I'm always on hand," said Carlton, gayly. "It's you who are shut up, and hid away from the pure air and bright sunshine in a gloomy store, delving like a mole in the dark. The fact is, old fellow! you are killing yourself. Turning gray, as I live!" And he touched, with his fingers, the locks of Wilkinson, in which a few gray lines were visible. "Bad! bad!" he went on, shaking his head. "And you are growing as thin as a lath. When did you ride out?" "Oh, not for two months past. I've been too closely occupied with business." "Business!" there was a slight air of contempt in Carlton's voice and manner. "I hate to hear this everlasting cant, if I must so call it, about business; as if there were nothing else in the world to think or care about. Men bury themselves between four brick walls, and toil from morning until night, like prison-slaves; and if you talk to them about an hour's recreation for body and mind, all you can get out of them is--'Business! business!' Pah! I'm out of all patience with it. Life was made for enjoyment as well as toil. But come, what'll you drink? I've preached to you until I'm as dry as a chip." The two men stepped to the bar and drank. As they turned away, Carlton drew his arm within that of Wilkinson, saying, as he did so-- "As it is an age since I saw you, I must prolong the pleasure of this meeting. Your work is done for the day, of course." "No, I can't just say that it is." "Well, I can then. If you've been immuring yourself, as you have on your own confession, for some two months, or more, an afternoon with good company is indispensable. So, consider this a holiday, and think no more of bags, boxes, cash-book, or ledger. I bought a splendid trotter yesterday, and am going to try his speed. You are a first-rate judge of horse-flesh, and I want your opinion. So, consider yourself engaged for a flying trip to Mount Airy." "You are a tempter," said Wilkinson, laughing. "Oh, no. A friend, who will give health to your veins, and life to your spirit." "Let me see," said Wilkinson, now turning his thoughts upon his business--"if there isn't something special that requires my attention. Yes," he added, after thinking for a few moments--"a customer promised to be in after dinner. He is from the country, and bought a good bill last season. You will have to excuse me, Carlton. I'll go with you to-morrow." "Indeed, and I shall do no such thing," was promptly answered. "Let your customers call in the morning--always the best time for business. Men don't buy in the afternoon." "My experience says differently."