As father, so son.

Petherick succeeded Petherick.

In this remote period (_the_ Petherick must now be 60) Governments had "despatch agents," men who distributed mail and whatnot, sent it on from capital to capital--were a sort of general "forwarding" factotums.
The office is really out of date now.

Telegraph companies, express companies, railway companies, the excellent mail service and the like out-despatch any conceivable agent--except Petherick.

Petherick has qualities that defy change, such as an unfailing courtesy, a genuine joy in serving his fellows, the very genius of helpfulness.