He knew the capital of the firm, and its status.

He was ignorant of the other things which counted--as ignorant as his master had been until he had paid a business visit a few years ago, in search of certain edibles, to an island in the Mediterranean Sea.

He was to have returned in triumph to Tooley Street and launched upon the provision-buying world a new cheese of astounding quality and infinitesimal price--instead of which he brought home a wife.
"Anything I can do, sir," began Mr.Jarvis, a little vaguely,-- "My idea was," Mr.Weatherley proceeded, "that one of my own young men--there are twelve of them in there, aren't there ?" he added, jerking his head in the direction of the office--"might do.

What do you think ?" Mr.Jarvis nodded thoughtfully.
"It would be a great honor, sir," he declared, "a very great honor indeed." Mr.Weatherley did not contradict him.

As a matter of fact, he was of the same opinion.
"The question is which," he continued.
Mr.Jarvis began to understand why he had been consulted.