Ffrench settled himself with an agreeable consciousness of being less at a loss before the man than he had ever been in his life.
"What I have seen abroad," he said, "has added to the interest I have always felt in our own manufactures. You know that is a thing I have always cared for most. People have called it my hobby, though I don't think that is quite the right name for it. You have done a great deal since I went away."
"I shall do more yet," said Haworth with effort, "before I've done with the thing."
"You've done a good deal for Broxton. The place has grown wonderfully. Those cottages of yours are good work."
Haworth warmed up. His hand fell upon the table before him heavily.
"It's not Broxton I'm aimin' at," he said. "Broxton's naught to me. I'll have good work or none. It's this place here I'm at work on. I've said I'd set 'Haworth's' above 'em all, and I'll do it."
"You've done it already," answered Ffrench.
"Ay, but I tell you I'll set it higher yet. I've got the money and I've got the will. There's none on 'em can back down Jem Haworth."
"No," said Ffrench, suddenly and unaccountably conscious of a weakness in himself and his position. He did not quite understand the man. His heat was a little confusing.
"This," he decided mentally, "is his hobby."