"Too sensible to lose his balance under any trouble," he said.
Bullstone found that Jeremy had already undertaken the new work in spirit and was actually thriving at it, saving money and repaying his debts.
"Trust me," he said, "and be sure of this, that I shall return good measure well pressed down, Jacob. This is the chance of a lifetime, and something tells me my foot is now firm on the ladder."
They parted presently, and while Auna and Avis accompanied them for a mile on their return journey to Brent, Margery thanked her husband.
"It's like you; I'm sure I'm deeply obliged; and father and mother will feel as grateful as I do," she said rather formally.
Jacob laughed.
"For you and yours I do it. But don't be too hopeful. Jeremy isn't built to help on the world—only to be helped on by it."
"Perhaps now he's married——"
"Yes, yes, he'll try valiantly—a most well-meaning chap—but you can't ask putty to take the place of lead. I'll push him and do what I may; and so will you. If manners could make him, he'd be all right; but he's like your rose-bushes—wants a lot of tying up and supporting."