The Professor | Page 9

entered it; a
very different place from the parlours of Crimsworth Hall--a place for
business, with a bare, planked floor, a safe, two high desks and stools,
and some chairs. A person was seated at one of the desks, who took off
his square cap when Mr. Crimsworth entered, and in an instant was
again absorbed in his occupation of writing or calculating--I know not
which.
Mr. Crimsworth, having removed his mackintosh, sat down by the fire.
I remained standing near the hearth; he said presently--
"Steighton, you may leave the room; I have some business to transact
with this gentleman. Come back when you hear the bell."
The individual at the desk rose and departed, closing the door as he
went out. Mr. Crimsworth stirred the fire, then folded his arms, and sat
a moment thinking, his lips compressed, his brow knit. I had nothing to
do but to watch him--how well his features were cut! what a handsome
man he was! Whence, then, came that air of contraction--that narrow
and hard aspect on his forehead, in all his lineaments?
Turning to me he began abruptly:
"You are come down to ----shire to learn to be a tradesman?"
"Yes, I am."
"Have you made up your mind on the point? Let me know that at
once."

"Yes."
"Well, I am not bound to help you, but I have a place here vacant, if
you are qualified for it. I will take you on trial. What can you do? Do
you know anything besides that useless trash of college learning--Greek,
Latin, and so forth?"
"I have studied mathematics."
"Stuff! I dare say you have."
"I can read and write French and German."
"Hum!" He reflected a moment, then opening a drawer in a desk near
him took out a letter, and gave it to me.
"Can you read that?" he asked.
It was a German commercial letter; I translated it; I could not tell
whether he was gratified or not--his countenance remained fixed.
"It is well;" he-said, after a pause, "that you are acquainted with
something useful, something that may enable you to earn your board
and lodging: since you know French and German, I will take you as
second clerk to manage the foreign correspondence of the house. I shall
give you a good salary--90l. a year--and now," he continued, raising his
voice, "hear once for all what I have to say about our relationship, and
all that sort of humbug! I must have no nonsense on that point; it would
never suit me. I shall excuse you nothing on the plea of being my
brother; if I find you stupid, negligent, dissipated, idle, or possessed of
any faults detrimental to the interests of the house, I shall dismiss you
as I would any other clerk. Ninety pounds a year are good wages, and I
expect to have the full value of my money out of you; remember, too,
that things are on a practical footing in my establishment--business-like
habits, feelings, and ideas, suit me best. Do you understand?"
"Partly," I replied. "I suppose you mean that I am to do my work for
my wages; not to expect favour from you, and not to depend on you for

any help but what I earn; that suits me exactly, and on these terms I will
consent to be your clerk."
I turned on my heel, and walked to the window; this time I did not
consult his face to learn his opinion: what it was I do not know, nor did
I then care. After a silence of some minutes he recommenced:--
"You perhaps expect to be accommodated with apartments at
Crimsworth Hall, and to go and come with me in the gig. I wish you,
however, to be aware that such an arrangement would be quite
inconvenient to me. I like to have the seat in my gig at liberty for any
gentleman whom for business reasons I may wish to take down to the
hall for a night or so. You will seek out lodgings in X----."
Quitting the window, I walked back to the hearth.
"Of course I shall seek out lodgings in X----," I answered. "It would not
suit me either to lodge at Crimsworth Hall."
My tone was quiet. I always speak quietly. Yet Mr. Crimsworth's blue
eye became incensed; he took his revenge rather oddly. Turning to me
he said bluntly--
"You are poor enough, I suppose; how do you expect to live till your
quarter's salary becomes due?"
"I shall get on," said I.
"How do you expect to live?" he repeated in a louder voice.
"As I can, Mr. Crimsworth."
"Get into debt at your peril! that's all," he answered. "For aught I know
you may have extravagant aristocratic habits: if you have,