“I am very proud of it, sir; that is all I can find to say.”
“Well, young man, that same good opinion I have of you induces me to do something else, that I have never done for any of your predecessors.”
Mr. Bazalgette paused. David's heart beat. Quick as lightning it darted through his mind, “He is going to ask a favor for me. Promotion? Why not? He is a merchant. He has friends in the Company.'”
“I am going to interfere in your concerns, Dodd.”
“You are very good, sir.”
“Well, perhaps I am. I have to overcome a natural reluctance. But you are worth the struggle. I shall therefore go against the usages of the world, which I don't care a button for, and my own habits, which I care a great deal for, and give you, humph—a piece of friendly advice.”
David looked blank.
“Dodd, my boy, you are playing the fool in this house.”
David looked blanker.
“It is not your fault; you are led into it by one of those sweet creatures that love to reduce men to the level of their own wisdom. You are in love, or soon will be.”