Good morning, it’s Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020. On this date in 1843, a (fictional) money lender watched his poorly paid clerk put on his scarf while preparing to leave for the day. “You’ll want all day tomorrow,” groused the boss.
“If quite convenient, sir,” replied the clerk.
“It’s not convenient,” the boss said, “and it’s not fair.” He added that if the clerk’s salary was to be docked accordingly, he’d think himself ill-used. In reply, the clerk noted meekly that Christmas came but once a year.
“A poor excuse for picking a man’s pocket every 25
th of December,” growled the churlish businessman. “But I suppose you must have the whole day. Be here all the earlier the next morning.”