out some lame apology, and the matter was ended.  It revealed the new partner, however, in an entirely novel light to the inmates of the counting-house.  That under such circumstances a complaint should be carried to the senior was only natural, but that the junior should actually take the matter into his own hands and execute lynch law then and there was altogether a new phenomenon.  From that day Tom acquired a great ascendancy in the office, and Gilray became his devoted slave.  This friendship with the old clerk proved to be very useful, for by means of his shrewd hints and patient teaching the new comer gained a grasp of the business which he could not have attained by any other method.

Girdlestone called him into the office one day and congratulated him upon the progress which he was making.  “My dear young man,” he said to him in his patriarchal way, “I am delighted to hear of the way in which you identify yourself with the interests of the firm.  If at first you find work allotted to you which may appear to you to be rather menial, you must understand that that is simply due to our desire that you should master the whole business from its very foundations.”

“There is nothing I desire better,” said Tom.

“In addition to the routine of office work, and the superintendence of the clerks, I should wish you to have a thorough grasp of all the details of the shipping, and of the loading and unloading of our vessels, as well as of the storage of goods when landed.  When any of our ships are in, I should wish you to go down to the docks and to overlook everything which is done.”

Tom bowed and congratulated himself inwardly upon these new duties, which promised to be interesting.

“As you grow older,” said the senior partner, “you will find it of inestimable value that you have had practical experience of what your subordinates have to do.  My whole life has taught me that.  When you are in doubt upon any subject you can ask Ezra for assistance and advice.  He is a young man whom you might well take as an example, for he has great business capacity.  When he has gone to Africa you can come to me if there is anything which you do not understand.”  John Girdlestone appeared to be so kindly and benevolent during this and other interviews, that Tom’s heart warmed towards him, and he came to the conclusion that his father had judged the old merchant harshly.  More than once, so impressed was he by his kindness, that he was on the point of disclosing to him his engagement to his ward, but on each occasion there arose within him a lively recollection of Kate’s frightened face when he had suggested such a course, and he felt that without her consent he had no right to divulge the secret.