Chapter 3

On the very next day but one I was sitting behind my glass
partition, as before, when he came into the outer office, as
before. The moment I saw him again without hearing him, I hated
him worse than ever.

It was only for a moment that I had this opportunity; for he waved
his tight-fitting black glove the instant I looked at him, and came
straight in.

'Mr. Sampson, good-day! I presume, you see, upon your kind
permission to intrude upon you. I don't keep my word in being
justified by business, for my business here - if I may so abuse the
word - is of the slightest nature.'

I asked, was it anything I could assist him in?

'I thank you, no. I merely called to inquire outside whether my
dilatory friend had been so false to himself as to be practical and
sensible. But, of course, he has done nothing. I gave him your
papers with my own hand, and he was hot upon the intention, but of
course he has done nothing. Apart from the general human
disinclination to do anything that ought to be done, I dare say
there is a specially about assuring one's life. You find it like
will-making. People are so superstitious, and take it for granted
they will die soon afterwards.'

'Up here, if you please; straight up here, Mr. Sampson. Neither to
the right nor to the left.' I almost fancied I could hear him
breathe the words as he sat smiling at me, with that intolerable
parting exactly opposite the bridge of my nose.

'There is such a feeling sometimes, no doubt,' I replied; 'but I
don't think it obtains to any great extent.'

'Well,' said he, with a shrug and a smile, 'I wish some good angel
would influence my friend in the right direction. I rashly
promised his mother and sister in Norfolk to see it done, and he
promised them that he would do it. But I suppose he never will.'

He spoke for a minute or two on indifferent topics, and went away.

I had scarcely unlocked the drawers of my writing-table next
morning, when he reappeared. I noticed that he came straight to
the door in the glass partition, and did not pause a single moment
outside.

'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