Nevertheless, it is a lively place sometimes, and in moments of excitement.

Also it is a good place for business, and for brogue of the broadest; and a man who is unable to be happy there, must have something on his mind unusual.

Geoffrey Mordacks had nothing on his mind except other people's business; which (as in the case of Lawyer Jellicorse) is a very favorable state of the human constitution for happiness.
But though Mr.Mordacks attended so to other people's business, he would not have anybody to attend to his.

No partner, no clerk, no pupil, had a hand in the inner breast pockets of his business; there was nothing mysterious about his work, but he liked to follow it out alone.

Things that were honest and wise came to him to be carried out with judgment; and he knew that the best way to carry them out is to act with discreet candor.