'Can you spare me two minutes, my dear Mr. Sampson?'
'By all means.'
'Much obliged,' laying his hat and umbrella on the table; 'I came
early, not to interrupt you. The fact is, I am taken by surprise
in reference to this proposal my friend has made.'
'Has he made one?' said I.
'Ye-es,' he answered, deliberately looking at me; and then a bright
idea seemed to strike him - 'or he only tells me he has. Perhaps
that may be a new way of evading the matter. By Jupiter, I never
thought of that!'
Mr. Adams was opening the morning's letters in the outer office.
'What is the name, Mr. Slinkton?' I asked.
'Beckwith.'
I looked out at the door and requested Mr. Adams, if there were a
proposal in that name, to bring it in. He had already laid it out
of his hand on the counter. It was easily selected from the rest,
and he gave it me. Alfred Beckwith. Proposal to effect a policy
with us for two thousand pounds. Dated yesterday.
'From the Middle Temple, I see, Mr. Slinkton.'
'Yes. He lives on the same staircase with me; his door is
opposite. I never thought he would make me his reference though.'
'It seems natural enough that he should.'
'Quite so, Mr. Sampson; but I never thought of it. Let me see.'
He took the printed paper from his pocket. 'How am I to answer all
these questions?'
'According to the truth, of course,' said I.
'O, of course!' he answered, looking up from the paper with a
smile; 'I meant they were so many.
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