the next day; the long paper-cutter for slitting envelopes; her
memorandum pad, on which was written Remind Mr. G. of Window
Display Luncheon--it seemed cruel to deprive her of all these
innocent amusements in which she delighted so much. And yet he
could not go on as a General Manager simply for the happiness of
Miss Whippet.

In the foliage of the geranium, where he knew she would find it
the first thing in the morning, he left a note:--

MISS WHIPPET:
I am leaving the store to-night and will not be back. Please
notify Mr. Beagle. Explain to him that I shall never take a
position with one of his competitors; I am leaving not because I
didn't enjoy the job, but because if I stayed longer I might
enjoy it too much. Tell Mr. Beagle that I specially urge him to
retain you as assistant to the new Manager, whoever that may be.
You are entirely competent to attend to the routine, and the new
Manager can spend all his time at business lunches.

Please inform the Display Managers' Club that I can't speak at
their meeting to-morrow.

I wish you all possible good-fortune.
MR. GISSING.

As he passed through the dim and silent aisles of the store, he
surveyed them again with mixed emotions. Here he might,
apparently, have been king. But he had no very poignant regret.
Another of his numerous selves, he reflected, had committed