"Not for myself, sir," said Mr. Hinchford, hastily; "don't mistake me—I wouldn't ask a favour for myself to save my life."
"I would to save a shilling; I often do."
"That is the difference between us," Mr. Hinchford answered.
"Exactly the difference. Pray proceed, Jem."
The younger brother softened at the old appellative; he composed his ruffled feathers, and went at it more submissively.
"Look here, Geoffry, I ask a favour for my son. His firm has dissolved partnership——"
"What firm was it?"
Mr. Hinchford told him.
"Smashed, you mean—bad management somewhere—go on."
"And he, who would have been made partner in his twenty-first birthday, has now to begin the world afresh. I thought that you might know of something suitable for him, and would, remembering our common name, do something for him."