Mr. Foster and the Wicklows had put in a good afternoon’s work. The matter of old Finch’s lease had been adjusted and the office was now in apple-pie order. Mr. Hoare had let things get slack of late and Roddy had the difficult job of straightening out an older man’s work without making the improvements too obvious.
‘Well, if Hoare comes back in March as he says,’ said Roddy, ‘he’ll find plenty to grumble at, but I think he’ll find it all right.’
‘Thank you very much indeed,’ said Mr. Foster; ‘both of you. I’ve learnt a great deal.’
‘Rot,’ said Roddy. ‘I mean thank you. It means a lot to have the boss taking an interest.’
Mr. Foster looked unhappy and was going to say something when a footman came in and handed him a salver upon which lay what Roddy and Sally could see to be a cable.
