Chapter 44 CHAPTER 5

Showing that Tom Had Opened the Oyster `AND now we have settled this Newcastle business, Tom, said Mr Deane, that same afternoon, as they were seated in the private room at the Bank together, `there is another matter I want to talk to you about. Since you are likely to have rather a smoky, unpleasant time of it in Newcastle for the next few weeks, you'll 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 uncle took out His snuff box and gratified each nostril with deliberate inpartiality.

`You see, Tom, said Mr Deane, at last, throwing himself backward, `the world goes on at a smarter pace now 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 pace and the wheel of Fortune along with em, as our Mr Stephen Guest said at the Anniversary dinner (he hits these things off wonderfully, considering hes seen nothing of business). I dont find fault with the change, as some people do. Trade, sir, opens a mans eyes; population is to get thicker upon the ground, as its doing, the world must use its wits at inventions of one sort or other. I k now Ive done my share as an ordinary man of business. Somebody has said its a fine thing to make two ears of corn grow where only one grew before: - but, sir, its a fine thing too, to further the exchange of commodities, and bring the grains of corn to the mouths that are hungry. And thats our line of business - and I consider it as honorable a position as a man can hold, to be connected with it.

Tom knew that the affair his uncle had to speak of was not urgent; Mr Deane was too shrewd and practical a man to allow either his reminiscences or his snuff to impede the progress of trade. Indeed for the last month or two there had been hints thrown out to Tom which enabled him to guess that he was going to hear some proposition for his own benefit. With the beginning of the last speech he had stretched out his legs, thrust his hands in his pockets and prepared himself for some introductory diffuseness, tending to show that Mr Deane had succeeded by his own merit, 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 uncle put a direct question to him.

`Let me see - its going on for seven years now since you applied to me for a situation - eh, Tom? `Yes, sir; Im three and twenty now, said Tom. `Ah - its as well not to say that, though; for youd pass for a good deal older, and age tells well in business. I remember your coming very well: I remember I saw there was some pluck in you, and that was what made me give you encouragement. 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 you've done me credit, sir - and if Id had a son o my own, I shouldn't have been sorry to see him like you.

Mr Deane tapped his box and opened it again, repeating in a tone of some feeling - `No, I shouldn't have been sorry to see him like you. `Im very glad Ive given you satisfaction, sir; Ive done my best, said Tom, in his proud, independent way. `Yes, Tom, youve given me satisfaction. I dont speak of your conduct 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 concern, sir - and theres no reason why it shouldnt go on growing: theres a growing capital and growing outlets for it, but theres another thing thats wanted for the prosperity of every concern, large or small, and thats men to conduct 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 concern - 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 near ten years older than you, there are other points in your favour.

Tom was getting a little nervous as Mr Deane went on speaking: he was conscious 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 Deane went on, when he had finished his new pinch, `that your being my nephew weights in your favour, but I dont deny that if youd been no relation of mine at all, your conduct in that affair of Pelleys bank would have led Mr Guest and myself to make some acknowledgment of the service you've been to us - and, backed by your general conduct and 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 on. We think thatll be better on all grounds than raising your salary. Itll give you more importance, and prepare you better for taking some of the anxiety 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 come back from this northern business, we can go into particulars. is a great stride for a young fellow of three and twenty, but Im bound to say, you have deserved it.

`Im very grateful to Mr Guest and you, sir - of course I feel the most indebted 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 one thing 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 investment, 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 and get it back again whenever I could - it was in his family for five generations. 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 chance of fulfilling my fathers wish. I shouldn't have liked to mention the thing to you, only you've been kind enough to say my services have been of some value. And Id give up a much greater chance in life for the sake of having the Mill again - I mean, having it in my own hands, and gradually working off the price.

Mr Deane had listened attentively, and now looked thoughtful. `I see, I see, he said, after a while, `the thing would be possible, if there were any chance of Wakems parting with the property. But that I dont see. Hes put that young Jet-some in the place, and he had his reasons when he bought it, Ill be bound. `Hes a loose fish - that young Jetsome, said Tom. `Hes taking to drinking, and they say hes letting the business go down. Luke told me about it - our old miller. 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 we wanted. `I should be able to manage more than the mill when things were once set properly going, 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! you'll be having a wife to care about one of these days, if you get on at this pace in the world. But as to this Mill, we mustnt reckon our chickens too early. However, I promise you to bear it in mind, and when you come back, well talk of it again. I am going to dinner now. Come and have breakfast with us tomorrow morning and say good-by to your mother and sister before you start.