Alexander Eden stepped from the misty street into thegreat marble-pillared room where the firm of  Meek and Eden offered its wares. Immediately behind showcases gorgeous with precious stones or bright with silver platinum and gold forty resplendent clerks stood at attention. Their morning coats were impeccable lacking the slightest suspicion of a wrinkle and in the left lapel of each was a pink carnation as fresh and perfect as though it had grown there.