The things we do!

"
While Hobson Newcome made these satiric and facetious remarks, his
half-brother paced up and down the glass parlour, scowling over the panes
into the bank where the busy young clerks sate before their ledgers. At
last he gave an "Ah!" as of satisfaction. Indeed, he had seen Sir Barnes
Newcome enter into the bank.
The Baronet stopped and spoke with a clerk, and presently entered,
followed by that young gentleman into his private parlour. Barnes tried
to grin when he saw his uncle, and held out his hand to greet the
Colonel; but the Colonel put both his behind his back--that which carried
his faithful bamboo cane shook nervously. Barnes was aware that the
Colonel had the news. "I was going to--to write to you this morning,
with--with some intelligence that I am--very--very sorry to give."
"This young gentleman is one of your clerks?" asked Thomas Newcome,
blandly.
"Yes; Mr. Boltby, who has your private account. This is Colonel Newcome,
Mr. Boltby," says Sir Barnes, in some wonder.


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