‘And when you gave me some other good advice which I needed at that time?’
‘I won’t say what it was worth,’ answered Mr Meagles: ‘but of course I remember our being very pleasant and confidential together.’
‘I have acted on your advice; and having disembarrassed myself of an occupation that was painful to me for many reasons, wish to devote myself and what means I have, to another pursuit.’
‘Right! You can’t do it too soon,’ said Mr Meagles.
‘Now, as I came down to-day, I found that your friend, Mr Doyce, is looking for a partner in his business—not a partner in his mechanical knowledge, but in the ways and means of turning the business arising from it to the best account.’
‘Just so,’ said Mr Meagles, with his hands in his pockets, and with the old business expression of face that had belonged to the scales and scoop.
‘Mr Doyce mentioned incidentally, in the course of our conversation, that he was going to take your valuable advice on the subject of finding such a partner. If you should think our views and opportunities at all likely to coincide, perhaps you will let him know my available position. I speak, of course, in ignorance of the details, and they may be unsuitable on both sides.’
‘No doubt, no doubt,’ said Mr Meagles, with the caution belonging to the scales and scoop.
‘But they will be a question of figures and accounts—’
‘Just so, just so,’ said Mr Meagles, with arithmetical solidity belonging to the scales and scoop.