"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."