The morning had begun badly. The coffee was cold and the bacon burnt.
Angell Herald spoke to Mrs. Wiggins about it, and she had promptly given
notice. In Mrs. Wiggins it was nothing new for her to give notice. She
generally did so twice a week; but this was the third time during the
current week, and it was only Tuesday. Angell Herald had been forced to
apologise. He hated apologising--except to a client. Then there was an
east wind blowing He disliked east winds intensely, they affected his
liver.
On the way to the office he called in and had his hat ironed. He also
bought a rose. He always buys a rose when there is an east wind, and he
likewise always has his hat ironed; it mitigates the pinched expression
of his features.
As he entered his office, he was conscious of not replying to Pearl's
"Good morning." Pearl is Angell Herald's clerk, the only member of his
staff. With somewhat ambiguous humour Angell Herald calls him "the
pearl of great price," as every fortnight with painful regularity he
asks for a rise--he never gets it. When Pearl is not asking for a rise,
he is soliciting a half-holiday in which either to marry a friend, or
bury a relative. Pearl is entirely lacking in originality. That is
what makes him a most admirable clerk for an advertising man.
On this particular morning, Angell Herald each had a funeral on the same
day. They closed the office and met at Epsom! Neither referred to the
matter subsequently.
On this particular morning Angell Herald saw that Pearl was in a state
of suppressed excitement. Something had happened. Was it another
friend desirous of getting married, or a double death? Pearl himself,
however, settled the matter by saying:
"There's a letter from No. 110 Downing Street, sir."
Then, of course, his employer knew that it was merely insanity.
"Don't be an ass, Pearl," was the retort. Angell Herald allows Pearl a
considerable amount of licence, because he is valuable to him.
Furthermore, he permits his subordinate to joke sometimes, in lieu of
increasing his salary.
Pearl's reply was to produce a letter, franked with the stamp of the
Prime Minister. Angell Herald tore it open, hurriedly, and read:--
To Angell Herald, Esq.,
382 Fleet Street, E.G.