"
Tom took them up and went to his little corner near the window to
reperuse them. There was much to be done which had not been
mentioned, particularly with regard to Mr. Eaton's contract. He
took out the specification, jotted down on a piece of paper the
several items, marked methodically with a cross those which required
prompt attention, and began to write. Mr. Furze, seeing his desk
unencumbered, was very well satisfied with himself. He had
"managed" the whole thing perfectly. His head became clear, the
knots were untied, and he hummed a few bars of a hymn. He then went
to his safe, took out the trust papers without looking at them,
handed them over to Tom with a remark that he should like the
abstract the next morning, and at once went up to the Terrace. He
was hungry: he had left Mrs. Furze unwell, and, in his extreme
good-humour, had relented towards her. She had recovered, but did
not mention again the subject of Tom's discharge. He had ham with
his tea, but it was over sooner than usual, and he rose to depart.
"You are going early, father," said Catharine.
"Yes, my dear; it has been a busy day. I have been successful with
my tender for Mr. Eaton's improvements; iron has advanced; the
navigation has stopped; Castle, the blacksmith, has gone to smash; I
have to go to a trustees' meeting under that old Fothergill trust;
and Jack in the foundry has given notice to leave."
"When did you hear all this?"
"All within an hour after breakfast.
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