The bewildered Gissing looked about the room --the mahogany
flat-topped desk with a great sheet of plate glass shining
greenly at its thick edges; an inkwell, pens and pencils, a
little glass bowl full of bright paper-clips; one of those
rocking blotters that are so tempting; a water cooler which just
then uttered a seductive gulping bubble; an electric fan, gently
humming; wooden trays for letters and memoranda; on one wall a
great chart of names, lettered Organization of Personnel; a nice
domestic-looking hat-and-coat stand; a soft green rug--Ah, how
alluring it all was!

Mr. Beagle pointed to the outer door of the room, which had a
frosted pane. Through the glass the astounded floorwalker could
read the words

REGANAM LARENEG
GNISSIG .RM

What a delightful little room to meditate in. From the broad
windows he could see the whole shining tideway of Fifth Avenue,
passing lazily in the warm sunlight. He turned to Mr. Beagle,
greatly moved.

The next day an advertisement appeared in the leading papers, to
this effect:--

________________________
BEAGLE AND COMPANY
take pleasure in announcing to
their patrons and friends that