I believe, Sir Thomas, that you have the pleasure of some slight acquaintance with my father, Mr.
Matthew Mollett ?" What a pleasure under such circumstances! Sir Thomas, however, nodded his head, and Aby went on.
"Well, now, Sir Thomas, business is business; and my father, 'e ain't a good man of business.

A gen'leman like you, Sir Thomas, has seen that with 'alf an eye, I know." And then he waited a moment for an answer; but as he got none he proceeded.
"My governor's one of the best of fellows going, but 'e ain't sharp and decisive.

Sharp's the word now a days, Sir Thomas; ain't it ?" and he spoke this in a manner so suited to the doctrine which he intended to inculcate, that the poor old gentleman almost jumped up in his chair.
And Aby, seeing this, seated himself more comfortably in his own.

The awe which the gilt bindings of the books and the thorough comfort of the room had at first inspired was already beginning to fade away.

He had come there to bully, and though his courage had failed him for a moment under the stern eye of Mr.Somers, it quickly returned to him now that he was able to see how weak was his actual victim.
"Sharp's the word, Sir Thomas; and my governor, 'e ain't sharp--not sharp as he ought to be in such a matter as this.