It was hard to make head or tail of what the fool said, but he let fall enough to show that there was likely to be a drop." Girdlestone made another mark upon the paper.

He never questioned his son's decisions now, for long experience had shown him that they were never formed without solid grounds.

"Take this list, Ezra," he said, handing him the paper, "and run your eye over it.

If you see anything that wants changing, mark it." "I'll do it in the counting-house," his son answered.

"I can keep my eye on those lazy scamps of clerks.