Mr.Martin agreed to stay a week in order to explain everything necessary to him; and none could have applied himself more assidiously than the young man, whose whole thoughts seemed to have been centered on that of dress and the other sex.
Tom Gordon soon discovered the cause of Mr.Pitcairn's remark to the effect that Catherwood was not such a bad fellow when you came to know him.

He wrote an excellent hand, understood the theory of bookkeeping, and mastered that branch of the business so quickly that Mr.Martin was dismissed with thanks at the end of three days.
True, he wore eyeglasses, parted his hair in the middle, and was an exquisite in his dress.

When he chose he could be courteous to those around him.

Most of the clerks were pleasantly disappointed by his manner.
Tom Gordon, as in duty bound, yielded full respect to the one who was not only his superior in position, but who was likely, in the course of time, to become his sole employer.

But the young man was sensitive, and soon became convinced that Mr.Catherwood did not feel especially friendly toward him.