Mr. Perkupp was in his room writing, and he said:  “Take a seat, Mr. Pooter, I shall not be moment.”

I replied:  “No, thank you, sir; I’ll stand.”

I watched the clock on the mantelpiece, and I was waiting quite twenty minutes; but it seemed hours.  Mr. Perkupp at last got up himself.

I said:  “I hope there is nothing wrong, sir?”

He replied:  “Oh dear, no! quite the reverse, I hope.”  What a weight off my mind!  My breath seemed to come back again in an instant.

Mr. Perkupp said:  “Mr. Buckling is going to retire, and there will be some slight changes in the office.  You have been with us nearly twenty-one years, and, in consequence of your conduct during that period, we intend making a special promotion in your favour.  We have not quite decided how you will be placed; but in any case there will be a considerable increase in your salary, which, it is quite unnecessary for me to say, you fully deserve.  I have an appointment at two; but you shall hear more to-morrow.”

He then left the room quickly, and I was not even allowed time or thought to express a single word of grateful thanks to him.  I need not say how dear Carrie received this joyful news.  With perfect simplicity she said:  “At last we shall be able to have a chimney-glass for the back drawing-room, which we always wanted.”  I added:  “Yes, and at last you shall have that little costume which you saw at Peter Robinson’s so cheap.”

January 2.—­I was in a great state of suspense all day at the office.  I did not like to worry Mr. Perkupp; but as he did not send for me, and mentioned yesterday that he would see me again to-day, I thought it better, perhaps, to go to him.  I knocked at his door, and on entering, Mr. Perkupp said:  “Oh! it’s you, Mr. Pooter; do you want to see me?” I said:  “No, sir, I thought you wanted to see me!” “Oh!” he replied, “I remember.  Well, I am very busy to-day; I will see you to-morrow.”

January 3.—­Still in a state of anxiety and excitement, which was not alleviated by ascertaining that Mr. Perkupp sent word he should not be at the office to-day.  In the evening, Lupin, who was busily engaged with a paper, said suddenly to me:  “Do you know anything about Chalk pits, Guv.?” I said:  “No, my boy, not that I’m aware of.”  Lupin said:  “Well, I give you the tip; Chalk pits are as safe as Consols, and pay six per cent. at par.”  I said a rather neat thing, viz.:  “They may be six per cent. at par, but your Pa has no money to invest.”  Carrie and I both roared with laughter.  Lupin did not take the slightest notice of the joke, although I purposely repeated it for him; but continued:  “I give you the tip, that’s all—­Chalk pits!” I said another funny thing:  “Mind you don’t fall into them!” Lupin put on a supercilious smile, and said:  “Bravo!  Joe Miller.”