CHAPTER 5
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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,<footer></footer> 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, thrus<kbd></kbd>t 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 giveisfa. I dont speak of your duct as a son - though that weighs with me in my opinion of you. But what I have to do with, as a partner in our firm, is the qualities youve shown as a man o business. Ours is a fine business - a splendid , sir - and theres no reason why it shouldnt go on growing: theres a growing capital and growing outlets for it, but theres ahing thats wanted for the prosperity of every , large or small, and thats men to duct it - men of the right habits, none o your flashy fellows, but such as are to be depended on. Now this is what Mr Guest and I see clear enough. Three years ago, we took Gell into the - we gave him a share in the oil-mill. And why? Why, because Gell was a fellow whose services were worth a premium. So it will always be, sir. So it was with me. And though Gell is pretty en years older than you, there are other points in <bdo>九九藏书</bdo>your favour.
Tom was getting a little nervous as Mr Dea on speaking: he was<big></big> scious of something he had in his mind to say, which might not be agreeable to his uncle, simply because it was a new suggestion rather than an acceptance of the proposition he foresaw.
`It stands to reason, Mr Dea on, when he had finished his new pinch, `that your being my nephew<details></details> weighs in your favour, but I dohat if youd been ion of mi all, your du that affair of Pelleys bank would have led Mr Guest and myself to make some aowledgment of the service youve been to us - and, backed by yeneral dud business ability it has made us determine on giving you a share in the business - a share which we shall be glad to increase as the years go ohink thatll be better on all grounds than raising your salary. Itll give you more importance, and prepare you better for taking some of the ay off my shoulders by and by. Im equal to a good deal o work at present, thank God; but Im getting older - theres no denying that. I told Mr Guest I would open the subject to you, and when you e back from this northern business, we go into particulars. This is a great stride for a young fellow of three and twenty, but Im bound to say, youve deserved it.
`Im very grateful tuest and you, sir - of course I feel the most ied to you, who first took me into the business, and have taken a good deal of pains with me since.
Tom spoke with a slight tremor, and paused after he had said this.
`Yes, yes, said Mr Deane. `I dont spare pains when I see theyll be of any use. I gave myself some trouble with Gell - else he wouldnt have been what he is.
`But theres ohing I should like to mention to you, uncle. Ive never spoken to you of it before. If you remember, at the time my fathers property was sold, there was some thought of your firm buying the Mill: I know you thought it would be a very good iment, especially if steam were applied.
`To be sure, to be sure. But Wakem outbid us - hed made up his mind to that. Hes rather fond of carrying everything over other peoples heads.
`Perhaps its of no use my mentioning it at present, Tom went on, `but I wish you to know what I have in my mind about the Mill. Ive a strong feeling about it. It was my fathers dying wish that I should try a back again whenever I could - it was in his family for five geions. I promised my father. And besides that, Im attached to the place. I shall never like any other so well. And if it should ever suit your views to buy it for the firm I should have a better ce of fulfilling my fathers wish. I shouldnt have liked to mentiohing to you, only youve been kind enough to say my services have been of some value. And Id give up a much greater life for the sake of having the Mill again - I mean, having it in my own hands, and gradually w off the price.
Mr Deane had listetentively, and now looked thoughtful.
`I see, I see, he said, after a while, `the thing would be possible, if there were any ce of Wakems parting with the property. But that I dont see. Hes put that you-some in the place, and he had his reasons when he bought it, Ill be bound.
`Hes a loose fish - that yousome, said Tom. `Hes taking to drinking, and they say hes letting the business go down. Luke told me about it - our old miller. He says, he shant stay uheres an alteration. I was thinking, if things went on in that way, Wakem might be more willing to part with the Mill. Luke says hes getting very sour about the way things are going on.
`Well, Ill turn it over, Tom. I must inquire into the matter, and go into it with Mr Guest. But, you see, its rather striking out a new branch, and putting you to that, instead of keeping you where you are - which was what wed wanted.
`I should be able to manage more than the mill when things were o proing, sir. I want to have plenty of work. Theres nothing else I care about much.
There was something rather sad in that speech from a young man of three and twenty, even in uncle Deanes business-loving ears.
`Pooh, pooh! youll be having a wife to care about one of these days, if you get on at this pa the world. But as to this Mill, we mustnt re our chis too early. However, I promise you to bear it in mind, and when you e back, well talk of it again. I am going to dinner now. e and have breakfast with us tomorrow m and say good-by to your mother and sister before you start.
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