Just as Karkeek was Mr.Cannon's dummy in the law, so was Dayson in the newspaper business.

But whereas Karkeek was privately ashamed, Dayson was proud of his role, which gave him the illusion of power and glory.
"Just take this down, will you ?" said Mr.Cannon.
Hilda grasped at her notebook and seized a pencil, and then held herself tense to receive the message, staring downwards at the blank page.
Dayson lolled in his chair, throwing his head back.

He knew that the presence of himself, the great shorthand expert, made Hilda nervous when she had to write from dictation; and this flattered his simple vanity.
Hilda hated and condemned her nervousness, but she could not conquer it.
Mr.Cannon, standing over the table, pushed his hat away from his broad, shining forehead, and then, meditative, absently lifted higher his carefully tended hand and lowered the singing gas-jet, only to raise it again.
"Mr.Ezra Brunt.

Dear Sir, Re advertisement.

With reference to your letter replying to ours in which you inquire as to the circulation of the above newspaper, we beg to state that it is our intention to print four thousand of--" "Two thousand," Hilda interrupted confidently.
Unruffled, Mr.Cannon went on politely: "No--four thousand of the first number.