Chapter 21

           May13.—Aterriblemisfortunehashappened:LupinisdischargedfromMr.Perkupp’soffice;andIscarcelyknowhowIamwritingmydiary.IwasawayfromofficelastSat.,thefirsttimeIhavebeenabsentthroughillnessfortwentyyears.IbelieveIwaspoisonedbysomelobster.Mr.Perkuppwasalsoabsent,asFatewouldhaveit;andourmostvaluedcustomer,Mr.Crowbillon,wenttotheofficeinarage,andwithdrewhiscustom.MyboyLupinnotonlyhadtheassurancetoreceivehim,butrecommendedhimthefirmofGylterson,SonsandCo.Limited.Inmyownhumblejudgment,andthoughIhavetosayitagainstmyownson,thisseemsanactoftreachery.

           ThismorningIreceivealetterfromPerkupp,informingmethatLupin’sservicesarenolongerrequired,andaninterviewwithmeisdesiredateleveno’clock.Iwentdowntotheofficewithanachingheart,dreadinganinterviewwithMr.Perkupp,withwhomIhaveneverhadaword.IsawnothingofLupininthemorning.Hehadnotgotupwhenitwastimeformetoleave,andCarriesaidIshoulddonogoodbydisturbinghim.MymindwanderedsoattheofficethatIcouldnotdomyworkproperly.

           AsIexpected,IwassentforbyMr.Perkupp,andthefollowingconversationensuedasnearlyasIcanrememberit.

           Mr.Perkuppsaid:“Good-morning,Mr.Pooter!Thisisaveryseriousbusiness.Iamnotreferringsomuchtothedismissalofyourson,forIknewweshouldhavetopartsoonerorlater.