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some were talking to one another in undertones, but most
were silent; and when he took up his place those around
him gave him a look of hostility. He heard one man say:
‘The only thing I look forward to is getting my refusal
soon enough to give me time to look elsewhere.’
The man, standing next him, glanced at Philip and
asked:
‘Had any experience?’
‘No,’ said Philip.
He paused a moment and then made a remark: ‘Even
the smaller houses won’t see you without appointment af-
ter lunch.’
Philip looked at the assistants. Some were draping
chintzes and cretonnes, and others, his neighbour told him
were preparing country orders that had come in by post. At
about a quarter past nine the buyer arrived. He heard one
of the men who were waiting say to another that it was Mr.
Gibbons. He was middle-aged, short and corpulent, with
a black beard and dark, greasy hair. He had brisk move-
ments and a clever face. He wore a silk hat and a frock coat,
the lapel of which was adorned with a white geranium sur-
rounded by leaves. He went into his office, leaving the door
open; it was very small and contained only an American
roll-desk in the corner, a bookcase, and a cupboard. The
men standing outside watched him mechanically take the
geranium out of his coat and put it in an ink-pot filled with
water. It was against the rules to wear flowers in business.
[During the day the department men who wanted to
keep in with the governor admired the flower.

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