_I_ am manager." Hope drew back despondent, and his haggard countenance fell at such prompt repulse.

But he summoned courage, and, once more acting genial confidence, returned to the attack.
"But you don't know, sir, in how many ways I can be useful to you.

A grand and complicated business like yours needs various acquirements in those who have the honor to serve you.

For instance, I saw a small engine at work in your yard; now I am a mechanic, and I can double the power of that engine by merely introducing an extra band and a couple of cogs." "It will do as it is," said Bartley, languidly, "and I can do without a manager." Bartley's manner was not irritated but absorbed.

He seemed in all his replies to Hope to be brushing away a fly mechanically and languidly.