An hour, two, three hours passed, chiefly occupied in expositions from Mr. Sutcliffe on the nature of the business, its principles, and the method of carrying it on. Sebastian’s part consisted chiefly in listening, naturally; but every now and then he interposed with a question--questions so much to the point, and showing such discernment and discrimination, that Mr. Sutcliffe, who had at first begun his task with some constraint and great dryness of manner and tone, brightened visibly every minute; his tone grew warmer, his manner more animated, his eyes flashed now and then. Thus the interview went on, until Mr. Sutcliffe, laying down a bundle of papers, whose import he had just explained, took up another bundle, and was beginning-- ‘These refer to the----’ But Sebastian interrupted him. ‘Excuse me, Mr. Sutcliffe. Suppose we lay aside business for to-day. I want to ask you some other questions. With such a manager as you, I have no fear of things going wrong.’ Mr. Sutcliffe smiled. ‘Judging from what I have heard and seen of you, Mr. Mallory, you will soon be in a position to manage your own business. You must not feel offended when I say that I have been most agreeably disappointed--surprised is perhaps rather the word.’ Sebastian smiled a little. ‘I am a fearfully indolent fellow, I believe,’ said he. ‘I take a lot of rousing; but once set me to plod at a thing, and I continue until I understand it--at least, I think so.’ ‘That is a very modest way of describing your ready comprehension of details which must be as strange to you as those we have just been discussing. But that’s neither here nor there; you wanted some other information?’ ‘I suppose you are pretty well acquainted with the different parties, social and political, in the town, and with the characters, at any rate, of the leading people?’ ‘I may say that I certainly am.’ ‘Well, to begin with, I wish you would tell me candidly what character is borne by my own concern and the management of it?’ Mr. Sutcliffe looked up quickly, an almost startled expression upon his face. ‘That is rather a delicate matter,’ he began. ‘Yes, I suppose it is. But I am sure you will be frank with me. I drew my own conclusions from what I saw and heard this morning, and I want to find out if your account agrees with them. Never mind how disagreeable it may be.’ ‘Your works, then, bear a very high reputation in many respects. Your hands are as decent and as steady a lot as any in the town, take them all in all. Things are generally peaceable. It is looked upon, and with justice, as an increasing, thoroughly prosperous concern. Our goods, both yarns and cloth, have got a name. I like the men who are under me, and I think they like me--Wilson, and Heywood, and the others. I think I have succeeded in keeping things right; but----’ ‘Well?’