He seemed then to have remembered something. A curious rigidity came over him, and though his visitor was disposed to linger by the pool where, in the evening light, the brightly-coloured fish glowed like dropped flakes of the sunset, Thickens drew back for him to pass, and then almost backed him into the house. "Sit down, please, Mr Bayle," he said, rather huskily; and he placed a chair for his visitor. "You got my note, then?" "Yes, and I came on. You want my--" "Help and advice, sir; that's it. I'm in a cleft stick, sir--fast." "I am sorry," said Bayle earnestly, for Thickens paused. "Is it anything serious?" Thickens nodded, sat down astride a Windsor chair, holding tightly by the curved back, and rested his upper teeth on the top, tapping the wood gently. Bayle waited a few moments for him to go on; but he only began rubbing at the top of the chair back, and stared at his visitor. "You say it is serious, Mr Thickens." "Terribly, sir." "Is it--is it a monetary question?" Thickens raised his head, nodded, and lowered it again till his teeth touched the chair back. "Some one in difficulties?" Thickens nodded. "Not you, Mr Thickens? You are too careful a man." "No: not me, sir." "Some friend?" Thickens shook his head, and there was silence for a few moments, only broken by the dull sound of the clerk's teeth upon the chair. "Do you want me to advance some money to a person in distress?" Thickens raised his head quickly, and looked sharply in his visitor's eye; but only to lower his head again. "No. No," he said. "Then will you explain yourself?" said the curate gravely. "Yes. Give me time. It's hard work. You don't know." Bayle looked at him curiously, and waited for some minutes before Thickens spoke again. "Yes," he said suddenly and as if his words were the result of deep thought; "yes, I'll tell you. I did think I wouldn't speak after all; but it's right, and I will. I can trust you, Mr Bayle?" "I hope so, Mr Thickens." "Yes, I can trust you. I used to think you were too young and boyish, but you're older much, and I didn't understand you then as I do now." "I was very young when I first came, Mr Thickens," said Bayle smiling. "It was almost presumption for me to undertake such a duty. Well, what is your trouble?" "Give me time, man; give me time," said Thickens fiercely. "You don't know what it is to be in my place. I am a confidential clerk, and it is like being torn up by the roots to have to speak as I want to speak." "If it is a matter of confidence ought you to speak to me, Mr Thickens?" said Bayle gravely. "Do I understand you to say it is a bank matter?" "That's it, sir." "Then why not go to Mr Dixon?" Thickens shook his head. "Mr Trampleasure? or Sir Gordon Bourne?"