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.