I want to prepare you for something. If you had been an
ordinary Office boy, I should not have bothered about you or
confided to you anything concerning the Firm. But you are by
now almost a clerk, and from the day I joined Miss Fraser in
this business, you have helped me more than you know--helped
me not only in my work, but to understand that there _can_
be good, true, decent-minded, trustworthy ... you won't like
it if I say "boys" ... young men.

I am going away for a considerable time, I cannot say how
long--probably abroad. But Miss Fraser thinks I can still
help in the work of her firm, so I remain a partner. A
cousin of mine, Mr. D.V. Williams, may come in occasionally
to help Miss Fraser. I shall ask him to keep an eye on you.
Miss Rose Mullet and Miss Steynes are likewise leaving the
service of the firm. I dare say you know Miss Mullet is
getting married and how Miss Steynes is going to live at
Aylesbury. Two other ladies are coming in their place, and
much of my own work will be undertaken by a Mrs. Claridge,
whom you will shortly see.

It is rather sad this change in what has been such a happy
association of busy people, nobody treading on any one
else's toes; but there it is! "The old order changeth,
giving place to the new ... lest one good custom should
corrupt the world"--you will read in the Tennyson I gave you
last Christmas. Let's hope it won't be when I return:
"Change and Decay in all around I see" ... as the rather
dismal hymn has it.