When he arrived at his work-place, he was pretty late. When the boss asked him for an explanation, Manohar told him that the road was so muddy and slippery that when he used to take two steps ahead, he was pushed back a yard. The boss found it hard to believe and said, ``If it was so, how did you manage to come here?'' Manohar replied coolly, that in despair, he made an about turn, started walking towards his home and to his utter surprise, he found himself at the portals of the office building. The boss had a hearty laugh and he directed Manohar to take his seat.

The attendance in the office was thin because of inclement weather. After some time, Manohar felt bored and made a plan of visiting a saloon for a haircut which he badly needed. He went and returned after an hour. The boss having noted his absence, angrily questioned him as to why he had left office for personal work. Manohar politely replied that he was on official work. His hair, by and large, grew during office hours when he sincerely applied his head to the job entrusted. So he thought that to have a haircut during office hours was not out of order. The boss was nonplussed for a while because of the clever repartee of Manohar.

After some time he dashed to the cabin of his chief and prayed that he be permitted to leave the office for urgent domestic duty. The boss this time was really vexed and retorted ``You don't seem to have any compunction about your behaviour. You first came to the office pretty late, then you take French leave for a hair cut and now you want to leave the office before the scheduled departure time.'' Manohar answered ``Sir, I am only compensating my late coming by leaving early.''

Though Manohar was caught on the wrong foot, the boss appreciated his wit and sense of humour displayed by him. The boss granted permission to Manohar to leave the office on the condition that he would use his intelligence in the right direction which would help him secure promotions. He excused Manohar's lapses and said ``Okay, you go now but take care, face the frontage of office while going back home otherwise you will not reach home early.''