Harris; perhaps you will allow Mr Hawkesbury to assist you for a day or two, just while he is learning the work." So saying, the senior partner vanished into his own room, leaving Hawkesbury in the midst of his new comrades.
I did not know whether to be glad or sorry.

For myself, though I never quite liked Hawkesbury, I had always got on well with him, and been disposed to believe him a well-meaning fellow.
But on Jack Smith's account I felt very sorry, and not a little uneasy, for they had never "hit" it, and from what I could judge never would.
However, for the present at any rate, such apprehensions seemed to be groundless, for Hawkesbury, naturally a little ill at ease among so many strangers, appeared to be glad to claim the acquaintance of one of them, and sat down beside him and began to talk in quite a cordial manner.
"This is a pleasant surprise," he said again; "who would have thought of seeing you and Batchelor in Uncle Merrett's office ?" "We've been here several months," replied Jack, not quite as cordially, I could see, as his old schoolfellow.
"Have you?
I'm afraid I shall never learn as much as you have," he said, with his old smile.
"Now then, young governor," said Harris, "when it's _quite_ convenient to you we'll get to work.

Don't put yourself out, pray; but if you can spare the time from your friend, I should like you to add up this column." Hawkesbury looked a little astonished at this speech, but at once replied, with a smile, "You are Mr Harris, I suppose?
I shall be glad to learn what you can teach me." If Harris had expected to put the new-comer down by his witticisms he was sorely mistaken.

Hawkesbury coolly seated himself at the desk beside him, and, with the air more of a man inspecting the work of another than of a learner seeking information, he examined the papers and books handed to him and catechised Harris as to their contents.
It was evident that he was fully aware from the beginning of his own position at the office, and that he wished us all to be aware of it also.

He adopted a patronising air towards me and Jack and the other clerks, as if we were already in his employment and doing his work.
"A jolly cool hand," growled Doubleday to Crow, in an undertone most unusual to him when the principals were out of hearing.