Vivie: “Then, dearest ... in case you don’t come to the office any more this week, I’ll say good-bye—­for—­for some time...”

(They grip hands, they hesitate, then kiss each other on the cheek, a very rare gesture on either’s part—­and separate with tears in their eyes.)

The following Monday morning, Bertie Adams, combining in his adolescent person the functions of office boy, junior clerk, and general factotum, entered the outer office of Fraser and Warren and found this letter on his desk:—­

Fraser and Warren Midland Insurance Chambers,
General Inquiry Agents 88-90, Chancery Lane, W.C. 
July 12, 1901.

DEAR BERTIE—­

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.

Sometimes change is a good thing.  You serve a noble mistress in Miss Fraser and I am sure you realize the importance of her work.  It may mean so much for women’s careers in the next generation.  I shan’t quite lose touch with you.  I dare say Miss Fraser, even if I am far away, will write to me from time to time and give me news of the office and tell me how you get on.  Don’t be ashamed of being ambitious:  keep up your studies.  Why don’t you—­but perhaps you do?—­join evening classes at the Polytechnic?—­or at this new London School of Economics which is close at hand?  Make up your mind to be Lord Chancellor some day ... even if it only carries you as far as the silk gown of a Q.C.  I suppose