James.  As bad as that, Cokeson?

Cokeson.  It makes you think. [Confidentially] He must have had temptation.

James.  Not so fast.  We haven’t convicted him yet.

Cokeson.  I’d sooner have lost a month’s salary than had this happen.
    [He broods.]

James.  I hope that fellow will hurry up.

Cokeson. [Keeping things pleasant for the cashier] It isn’t fifty yards, Mr. James.  He won’t be a minute.

James.  The idea of dishonesty about this office it hits me hard,
Cokeson.

     He goes towards the door of the partners’ room.

Sweedle. [Entering quietly, to Cokeson in a low voice] She’s popped up again, sir-something she forgot to say to Falder.

Cokeson. [Roused from his abstraction] Eh?  Impossible.  Send her away!

James.  What’s that?

Cokeson.  Nothing, Mr. James.  A private matter.  Here, I’ll come myself. [He goes into the outer office as James passes into the partners’ room] Now, you really mustn’t—­we can’t have anybody just now.

Ruth.  Not for a minute, sir?

Cokeson.  Reely!  Reely!  I can’t have it.  If you want him, wait about; he’ll be going out for his lunch directly.

Ruth.  Yes, sir.

     Walter, entering with the cashier, passes Ruth as she leaves the
     outer office.

Cokeson. [To the cashier, who resembles a sedentary dragoon] Good-morning. [To Walter] Your father’s in there.

     Walter crosses and goes into the partners’ room.

Cokeson.  It’s a nahsty, unpleasant little matter, Mr. Cowley.  I’m quite ashamed to have to trouble you.

Cowley.  I remember the cheque quite well. [As if it were a liver] Seemed in perfect order.

Cokeson.  Sit down, won’t you?  I’m not a sensitive man, but a thing like this about the place—­it’s not nice.  I like people to be open and jolly together.

Cowley.  Quite so.

Cokeson. [Buttonholing him, and glancing toward the partners’ room] Of course he’s a young man.  I’ve told him about it before now—­ leaving space after his figures, but he will do it.

Cowley.  I should remember the person’s face—­quite a youth.

Cokeson.  I don’t think we shall be able to show him to you, as a matter of fact.

     James and Walter have come back from the partners’ room.

James.  Good-morning, Mr. Cowley.  You’ve seen my son and myself, you’ve seen Mr. Cokeson, and you’ve seen Sweedle, my office-boy.  It was none of us, I take it.

     The cashier shakes his head with a smile.

James.  Be so good as to sit there.  Cokeson, engage Mr. Cowley in conversation, will you?