The first sentence Mr. Macindoe addressed to Eric Pullicate, showed that in the course of his vehement journey to the workshop, he had convinced himself that Eric was the most eligible person who could be chosen. People are not sensible how often this sort of election prevails, even when they persuade themselves that they are marvellously circumspect. It is true, that Pullicate was a man of far superior natural endowment to my curator, and that after all the discernment the latter could exercise, there must still have remained much of his character which Mr. Macindoe was unable to penetrate, while he considered himself, by the difference of condition, so much above him; at least I am inclined to adopt this opinion, in consequence of the result subsequent to our connexion. But to let the matter speak for itself, Mr. Macindoe applauded the choice I had suggested, and by his clever handling a partnership was soon in due form arranged between Mr. Possy and me, to which Eric Pullicate was engaged at a liberal salary to be foreman and factotum.

Though much could not be said for the brilliancy of Mr. Possy's parts, yet my reputation for talent in business was generally applauded, especially when it came to be known that we had made so judicious a choice for an assistant as Eric Pullicate, for he had not been long in our warehouse till his ability made itself conspicuous; his intelligence, assiduity, and above all a sedate tenour of respectful manners, served to ingratiate him not only with our customers, but with the friends of the partners.