"But times change. You don't want to be left high and dry in the march of progress, my dear chap."
"No—you needn't fear that. If you're young, you're a part of progress; you belong to it. But you must get a general knowledge of the present situation in our trade before you can do anything rational in the shape of progress. I've been left a very fine business with a very honoured name to keep up, and if I begin trying to run before I can walk, I should very soon fall down. You must see that."
Raymond nodded.
"Yes, that's all right. I'm a learner and I know you can teach me a lot."
"If you'd come to me instead of to the mill people."
"You don't know their side."
"Much better than you do. I've talked with our father often and often about it. He was no tyrant and nobody could ever accuse him of injustice."
Raymond flashed; but he kept his mouth shut on that theme. The only bitter quarrels between the brothers had been on the subject of their father, and the younger knew that the ground was dangerous. At this moment the last thing he desired was any difference with Daniel.
"I'll keep it all in mind, Dan. I don't want to do anything to annoy you, God knows. Is there any more? I must go and look after young Estelle."
"Only one thing; and this is purely personal, and so I hope you'll excuse me. I've just been seeing Uncle Ernest, and nobody wished us better fortune than he does."