Things were in this condition, going from bad to worse, when Jones came over one evening, and begged an interview with Mr. Brown. That interview was the commencement of the partnership. From such small matters do great events arise. At that interview Mr. Robinson was present. Mr. Brown indeed declared that he would have no conversation with Jones on business affairs, unless in the presence of a third party. Jones represented that if they went on as they were now doing, the property would soon be swallowed up by the lawyers. To this Mr. Brown, whose forte was not eloquence, tacitly assented with a deep groan. “Then,” said Jones, “let us divide it into three portions. You shall have one; Sarah Jane a second; and I will manage the third on behalf of my sister-in-law, Maryanne. If we arrange it well, the lawyers will never get a shilling.” The idea of a compromise appeared to Mr. Brown to be not uncommendable; but a compromise on such terms as those could not of course be listened to. Robinson strongly counselled him to nail his colours to the mast, and kick Mr. Jones downstairs. But Mr. Brown had not spirit for this. “One’s children is one’s children,” said he to Robinson, when they went apart into the shop to talk the matter over. “The fruit of one’s loins, and the prop of one’s age.” Robinson could not help thinking that Sarah Jane was about as bad a prop as any that ever a man leant on; but he was too generous to say so. The matter was ended at last by a compromise. “Go on with the business together,” said Robinson; “Mr. Brown keeping, of course, a preponderating share in his own hands.” “I don’t like butter,” said Jones. “Nothing great can be done in butter.” “It is a very safe line,” said Mr. Brown, “if the connection is good.” “The connection must have been a good deal damaged,” said Robinson, “seeing that the shop has been closed for a fortnight. Besides, it’s a woman’s business, and you have no woman to manage it,” added he, fearing that Mrs. Jones might be brought in, to the detriment of all concerned. Jones suggested haberdashery; Robinson, guided by a strong idea that there is a more absolute opening for the advertising line in haberdashery than in any other business, assented. “Then let it be haberdashery,” said Mr. Brown, with a sigh. And so that was settled. CHAPTER III. THE EARLY HISTORY OF MR. ROBINSON.