Showing that Tom Had Opehe Oyster
`AND now weve settled this Newcastle business, Tom, said Mr Deahat same afternoon, as they were seated in the private room at the Bank together, `theres another matter I want to talk to you about. Since youre likely to have rather a smoky, unpleasant time of it in Newcastle for the few weeks, youll want a good prospect of some sort to keep up your spirits. Tom waited less nervously than he had done on a former occasion in this apartment, while his uook out his snuff box and gratified eaostril with deliberate impartiality.
`You see, Tom, said Mr Dea last, throwing himself backward, `the woes on at a smarter paow than it did when I was a young fellow. Why, sir, forty years ago, when I was much such a strapping youngster as you, a man expected to pull between the shafts the best part of his life, before he got the whip in his hand. The looms went slowish, and fashions didnt alter quite so fast - Id a best suit that lasted me six years. Everything was on a lower scale, sir - in point of expenditure, I mean. Its this steam, you see, that has made the difference - it drives on every wheel double pad the wheel of Fortune along with em, as our Mr Stephe said at the Anniversary dinner (he hits these things off wonderfully, sidering hes seen nothing of business). I dont find fault with the ge, as some people do. Trade, sir, opens a mans eyes; and if the population is to get thicker upon the ground, as its doing, the world must use its wits at iions of one sort or other. I know Ive done my share as an ordinary man of business. Somebody has said its a fihing to make two ears of grow where only one grew before: - but, sir, its a fihing too, to further the exge of odities, and bring the grains of to the mouths that are hungry. And thats our line of business - and I sider it as honourable a position as a man hold, to be ected with it.
Tom khat the affair his uncle had to speak of was nent; Mr Deane was too shreractical a man to allow either his reminisces or his snuff to impede the progress of trade. Indeed for the last month or two there had been hints thrown out to Tom whiabled him to guess that he was going to hear some proposition for his own be. With the beginning of the last speech he had stretched out his legs, thrust his hands in his pockets and prepared himself for some introductory diffuseness, tending to show that Mr Deane had succeeded by his ow, and that what he had to say to young men in general was, that if they didnt succeed too, it was because of their own demerit. He was rather surprised, then, when his u a direct question to him.
`Let me see - its going on for seven years now since you applied to me for a situatioom?
`Yes, sir; Im three and twenty now, said Tom.
`Ah - its as well not to say that, though; for youd pass food deal older, and age tells well in business. I remember your ing very well: I remember I saw there was some plu you, and that was what made me give you encement. And Im happy to say, I was right - Im not often deceived. I was naturally a little shy at pushing my nephew, but Im happy to say youve done me credit, sir - and if Id had a son o my own, I shouldnt have been sorry to see him like you.
Mr Deaapped his box and ope agaiing in a tone of some feeling - `No, I shouldnt have been sorry to see him like you.
`Im very glad Ive given you satisfa, sir; Ive done my best, said Tom, in his proud, indepe way.
`Yes, Tom, youve g