They were the more amazed at this when they considered that the shipwright work must necessarily be a mere driblet, altogether unworthy the attention of one so wealthy.

But that which amazed them most of all was, that such a man, in such circumstances, could waste his time in doing with his own hands the work of an ordinary mechanic--thus (as they concluded) entailing on himself the necessity of devoting much of the night to his more lucrative concern.
These long-headed men of business little knew the man.

They did not know that he was _great_ in the highest sense of the term, and that, among other elements of his greatness, he possessed the power of seizing the little things--the little opportunities--of life, and turning them to the best account; and that he not only knew what should be done; and how to do it, but was gifted with that inflexible determination of purpose to carry out a design, without which knowledge and talent can never accomplish great things.

The merchant did not, as they supposed, work late at night.

He measured his time, and measured his work.