old master.An' if a bit o' luck turns up, I'm allays thinkin' if I can let Mr Tom have a pull at it.An' it's a downright roarin' shame, as when he's got the chance o' making a bit o' money wi' sending goods out - ten or twelve per zent clear when freight an' commission's paid - as he shouldn't lay hold o' the chance for want o' money.An' when there's the Laceham goods - lors, they're made o' purpose for folks as want to send out a little carguy - light, an' take up no room; you may pack twenty pound so as you can't see the passill - an' they're manifacturs as please fools, so I reckon they aren't like to want a market.An' I'd go to Laceham an' buy in the goods for Mr Tom along wi' my own; an' there's the shupercargo o' the bit of a vessel as is goin' to take 'em out - I know him partic'lar; he's a solid man, an' got a family i' the town here: - Salt his name is - an'
a briny chap he is, too - an' if you don't believe me, I can take you to him.'
Uncle Glegg stood open-mouthed with astonishment at this unembarrassed loquacity, with which his understanding could hardly keep pace.He looked at Bob first over his spectacles, then through them, then over them again;while Tom, doubtful of his uncle's impression, began to wish he had not brought this singular Aaron or mouthpiece: Bob's talk appeared less seemly now some one besides himself was listening to it.
`You seem to be a knowing fellow,' said Mr Glegg, at last.
`Ay, sir, you say true,' returned Bob, nodding his head aside, `I think my head's all alive inside like an old cheese, for I'm so full o' plans, one knocks another over.If I hadn't Mumps to talk to, I should get top-heavy an' tumble in a fit.I suppose it's because I niver went to school much.
That's what I jaw my old mother for - I says, "you should ha' sent me to school a bit more - " I says - "an' then I could ha' read i' the books like fun, an' kep' my head cool an' empty." Lors, she's fine an' comfor'ble now, my old mother is - she ates here baked meat an' taters as often as she likes.For I'm gettin' so full o' money, I must hev a wife to spend it for me - but it's botherin' a wife is and Mumps mightn't like her.'
Uncle Glegg, who regarded himself as a jocose man since he had retired from business, who beginning to find Bob amusing, but he had still a disapproving observation to make, which kept his face serious.
`Ah,' he said, `I should think you're at a loss for ways o'spending your money, else you wouldn't keep that big dog, to eat as much as two Christians.It's shameful - shameful!' But he spoke more in sorrow than in anger, and quickly added, `But, come now, let's hear more about this business, Tom.I suppose you want a little sum to make a venture with.But where's all your own money? - You don't spend it all, eh?'
`No, sir,' said Tom, colouring.`But my father is unwilling to risk it, and I don't like to press him.If I could get twenty or thirty pounds to begin with I could pay five per cent for it, and then I could gradually make a little capital of my own, and do without a loan.'
`Ay...Ay,' said Mr Glegg, in an approving tone.`That's not a bad notion, and I won't say as I wouldn't be your man.But it'll be as well for me to see this Salt, as you talk on.And then...here's this friend o' yours offers to buy the goods for you.Perhaps you've got somebody to stand surety for you, if the money's put into your hands?' added the cautious old gentleman, looking over his spectacles at Bob.
`I don't think that's necessary, uncle,' said Tom.`At least, I mean it would not be necessary for me, because I know Bob well; but perhaps it would be right for you to have some security.'
`You get your per-centage out o' the purchase, I suppose?' said Mr Glegg, looking at Bob.
`No, sir,' said Bob, rather indignantly, `I didn't offer to get a apple for Mr Tom, o' purpose to hev a bite out of it myself.When I play folks tricks there'll be more fun in 'em nor that.'
`Well, but it's nothing but right you should have a small per-centage,'
said Mr Glegg.`I've no opinion o' transactions where folks do things for nothing.It allays looks bad.'
`Well, then,' said Bob, whose keenness saw at once what was implied, `I'll tell you what I get by't, an' it's money in my pocket in the end.
I make myself look big, wi' makin' a bigger purchase.That's what I'm thinking on.Lors, I'm a 'cute chap, I am.'
`Mr Glegg, Mr Glegg,' said a severe voice from the open parlour window, `pray are you coming in to tea? - or are you going to stand talking with packmen till you get murdered in th' open daylight?'
`Murdered?' said Mr Glegg; `what's the woman talking of? Here's your nevvy Tom come about a bit o' business.'
`Murdered - yes - it isn't many 'sizes ago, since a packman murdered a young woman in a lone place and stole her thimble and threw here body into a ditch.'
`Nay, nay,' said Mr Glegg, soothingly, `you're thinking o' the man wi'
no legs, as drove a dog-cart.'
`Well, it's the same thing, Mr Glegg - only you're found o' contradicting what I say.And if my nevvy's come about business, it 'ud be more fitting if you'd bring him into the house, and let his aunt know about it, instead o' whispering in corners, in that plotting, underminding way.'
`Well, well,' said Mr Glegg, `we'll come in now.'
`You needn't stay here,' said the lady to Bob, in a loud voice, adapted to the moral not the physical distance between them.`We don't want anything.
I don't deal wi' packmen.Mind you shut the gate after you.'
`Stop a bit; not so fast,' said Mr Glegg: `I haven't done with this young man yet.Come in, Tom, come in,' he added, stepping in at the French window.
`Mr Glegg,' said Mrs G.in a fatal tone.`If you're going to let that man and his dog in on my carpet before my very face, be so good as to let me know.A wife's got a right to ask that, I hope.'
