Mr. Furze went to his papers again and shut the door. He was still more incapable of collecting his thoughts and of determining how to begin. First of all came the contract, but before he could settle a single step the navigation presented itself. Then, without any progress, came the rise in the price of iron, and so forth. In about three hours the post would be going, and nothing was done. He cast about for some opportunity of a renewal of intercourse with Tom, and looked anxiously through his window, hoping that Tom might have some question to ask. At last he could stand it no longer, and he opened the door and called out-- "Mr. Catchpole"--not the familiar "Tom." Mr. Catchpole presented himself. "I wish to give you some instructions about these letters. I have arranged them in order. You will please write what I say, and I will sign in time for the post to-night. First of all there is the contract. You had better take the necessary action and ask the Staffordshire people what advance they want." "Yes, sir, but"--deferentially--"the Staffordshire people cannot claim an advance if you accept at once: you remember the condition?" "Certainly; what I mean is that you can accept their tender. Then there is the meeting of creditors." "I suppose you wish Mr. Eaton's acceptance acknowledged and the sub-contractors at once informed?" "Of course, of course; I said necessary action--that covers everything. With regard to the creditors' meeting, my proposal is--" A pause. "Perhaps it will be as well, sir, if you merely say you will attend." "I thought you would take that for granted. I was considering what proposal I should make when we meet." "Probably, sir, you can make it better after you hear his statement." "Well, possibly it may be so; but I am always in favour of being prepared. However, we will postpone that for the present. Then there is the trustee business. That is a private matter of my own, which you will not understand. I will give you the papers, however, and you can make an abstract of them. I cannot carry every point in my head. If you are in any doubt come to me." "You wish me to say you will go, sir?" "I should have thought there was no need to ask. You surely do not suppose that I am to give instructions upon every petty detail! Then about the navigation: I _must_ have some coal, and that is the long and the short of it." The "how" was probably a petty detail, for Mr. Furze went no further with the subject, and was inclined to proceed with the man at the foundry. "It will be too late if we wait till the lock is repaired, sir. I understand it will be three weeks really. Will you write to Ditchfield and tell them five tons are to come to Millfield Sluice? We will then cart it from there. That will be the cheapest and the best way."