III

Mr. Polly was not naturally interested in hosiery and gentlemen's

outfitting. At times, indeed, he urged himself to a spurious curiosity

about that trade, but presently something more congenial came along

and checked the effort. He was apprenticed in one of those large,

rather low-class establishments which sell everything, from pianos and

furniture to books and millinery, a department store in fact, The Port

Burdock Drapery Bazaar at Port Burdock, one of the three townships

that are grouped around the Port Burdock naval dockyards. There he

remained six years. He spent most of the time inattentive to business,

in a sort of uncomfortable happiness, increasing his indigestion.

On the whole he preferred business to school; the hours were longer

but the tension was not nearly so great. The place was better aired,

you were not kept in for no reason at all, and the cane was not

employed. You watched the growth of your moustache with interest and

impatience, and mastered the beginnings of social intercourse. You

talked, and found there were things amusing to say. Also you had

regular pocket money, and a voice in the purchase of your clothes, and

presently a small salary. And there were girls. And friendship! In the

retrospect Port Burdock sparkled with the facets of quite a cluster of

remembered jolly times.

("Didn't save much money though," said Mr. Polly.)

The History of Mr Polly