GETTING ON

Modern Man, Saturday 15 October 1910

GETTING ON

A SKETCH.

By JOHN L. HORNIBROOK.

The Manager of the Provincial Department of the World-Wide Insurance Co. snorted doubtfully as the card was handed to him.

“I don’t remember the name at all,” he said. “What sort of man is he?”

“Tall, narrow man,” replied the office boy; “can’t hardly see him sideways.”

“Got any books with him?”

“No, sir.”

“No rolled up maps, or anything of that sort.”

“No, sir.”

“No dummy copy of a new weekly paper?”

“No, sir. He ain’t got nothing with him except an old umbrella.”

“H’m. Show him in.” And in he came.

“I’m very sorry to bother you, Mr. Snooker,” he said; “but I have to ask you a favour.”

The Manager of the Provincial Department froze. He hinted that he had no ready money about him.

“It isn’t that at all, sir. I was your agent at Plymgwyn, Glamorganshire, at one time. Got the policy on Sir Walter Wilkin’s life, you remember?”

“I remember.”

“I came up to London to see Mr. Griffith Griffiths, and when I happened to see in the papers that you and he were at the big dinner last night, I thought a line from you —–“

The Manager of the Provincial Department breathing more easily, reached for a pen.

“I don’t happen to know him very well but, of course, I shall be glad———————–“

He scribbled on a sheet of paper.

“Glad to help you in any way,” he said.

“I thought you would. And I thank you.

If ever I —–“

“Don’t mention it.”

The door closed, and so did the incident —so far as the Manager of the Provincial Department was concerned. The scribbled note ran:

“Griffith Griffiths, Esq.,

“Victoria House, Embankment.

“Dear Sir,—This will introduce to you Mr. S. Hopper Evans, who seeks an interview.

“Hastily,

“W. W. Snooker.”