"Bungall did, and I'm here as his representative. But you'd better let that pass by just at present. If we can agree as to the management of the business, you won't find me a hard man to deal with as to our relative shares." Hereupon Tappitt scratched his head, and tried to think. "But I don't see how we are to agree about the management," he continued. "You won't be led by anybody." "I don't know about that. I certainly want to improve the concern." "Ah, yes; and so ruin it. Whereas I've been making money out of it these thirty years. You and I won't do together; that's the long of it and the short of it." "It would be a putting of new wine into old bottles, you think?" suggested Rowan. "I'm not saying anything about wine; but I do think that I ought to know something about beer." "And I'm to understand," said Rowan, "that you have definitively determined not to carry on the old concern in conjunction with me as your partner." "Yes; I think I have." "But it will be as well to be sure. One can't allow one's self to depend upon thinking." "Well, I am sure; I've made up my mind. I've no doubt you're a very clever young man, but I am quite sure we should not do together; and to tell you the truth, Rowan, I don't think you'll ever make your fortune by brewing." "You think not?" "No; never." "I'm sorry for that." "I don't know that you need be sorry. You'll have a nice income for a single man to begin the world with, and there's other businesses besides brewing,--and a deal better." "Ah! But I've made up my mind to be a brewer. I like it. There's opportunity for chemical experiments, and room for philosophical inquiry, which gives the trade a charm in my eyes. I dare say it seems odd to you, but I like being a brewer." Tappitt only scratched his head, and stared at him. "I do indeed," continued Rowan. "Now a man can't do anything to improve his own trade as a lawyer. A great deal will be done; but I've made up my mind that all that must come from the outside. All trades want improving; but I like a trade in which I can do the improvements myself,--from the inside. Do you understand me, Mr. Tappitt?" Mr. Tappitt did not understand him,--was very far indeed from understanding him. "With such ideas as those I don't think Baslehurst is the ground for you," said Mr. Tappitt. "The very ground!" said Rowan. "That's just it;--it's the very place I want. Brewing, as I take it, is at a lower ebb here than in any other part of England,"--this at any rate was not complimentary to the brewer of thirty years' standing--"than in any other part of England. The people swill themselves with the nasty juice of the apple because sound malt and hops have never been brought within their reach. I think Devonshire is the very county for a man who means to work hard, and who wishes to do good; and in all Devonshire I don't think there's a more fitting town than Baslehurst."