artners on some matter of
importance; and accordingly, to Jemima's secret joy, Mr Watson came
up and asked if her father was well enough to see him on business?
Jemima carried in this inquiry literally; and the hesitating answer
which her father gave was in the affirmative. It was not long before
she saw him leave the house, accompanied by the faithful old clerk;
and when he met her at dinner, he made no allusion to his morning
visitor, or to his subsequent going out. But from that time forwards
he went regularly to the office. He received all the information
about Dick's accident, and his progress towards recovery, in perfect
silence, and in as indifferent a manner as he could assume; but yet
he lingered about the family sitting-room every morning until the
post had come in which brought all letters from the south.

When Mr Farquhar at last returned to bring the news of Dick's perfect
convalescence, he resolved to tell Mr Bradshaw all that he had done
and arranged for his son's future career; but, as Mr Farquhar told
Mr Benson afterwards, he could not really say if Mr Bradshaw had
attended to one word that he said.

"Rely upon it," said Mr Benson, "he has not only attended to it, but
treasured up every expression you have used."

"Well, I tried to get some opinion, or sign of emotion, out of him. I
had not much hope of the latter, I must own; but I thought he would
have said whether I had done wisely or not in procuring that Glasgow
situation for Dick--that he would, perhaps, have been indignant
at my ousting him from the partnership so entirely on my own
responsibility."

"How did Richard take it?"

"Oh, nothing could exceed his penitence. If one had never heard of
the proverb, 'When the devil was sick, the devil a monk would be,' I
should have had greater faith in him; or if he had had more strength
of character to begin with, or more reality and less outward
appearance of good principle instilled into him. However, this
Glasgow situation is the very thing; clear, defined duties, no great
trust reposed in him, a kind and watchful head, and introductions to
a better class of associates than I fancy he has ever been thrown
amongst before. For, you know, Mr Bradshaw dreaded all intimacies
for his son, and wanted him to eschew all society beyond his own
family--would never allow him to ask a friend home. Really, when I
think of the unnatural life Mr Bradshaw expected him to lead, I get
into charity with him, and h