elp,
I am afraid. When you came in, I was about to apply to Mrs. Sherwin for
a little assistance."

"Don't do any such thing! You'll be quite in the wrong box there.
Mrs. S. is as sulky as a bear, whenever Mannion and she are in company
together. Considering her behaviour to him, I wonder he can be so civil
to her as he is."

"What can you tell me about him yourself, Mr. Sherwin?"

"I can tell you there's not a house of business in London has such a
managing man as he is: he's my factotum--my right hand, in short; and
my left too, for the matter of that. He understands my ways of doing
business; and, in fact, carries things out in first-rate style. Why,
he'd be worth his weight in gold, only for the knack he has of keeping
the young men in the shop in order. Poor devils! they don't know how he
does it; but there's a particular look of Mr. Mannion's that's as bad
as transportation and hanging to them, whenever they see it. I'll pledge
you my word of honour he's never had a day's illness, or made a single
mistake, since he's been with me. He's a quiet, steady-going, regular
dragon at his work--he is! And then, so obliging in other things. I've
only got to say to him: 'Here's Margaret at home for the holidays;' or,
'Here's Margaret a little out of sorts, and going to be nursed at home
for the half-year--what's to be done about keeping up her lessons? I
can't pay for a governess (bad lot, governesses!) and school too.'--I've
only got to say that; and up gets Mannion from his books and his
fireside at home, in the evening--which begins to be something, you
know, to a man of his time of life--and turns tutor for me, gratis; and
a first-rate tutor, too! That's what I call having a treasure! And yet,
though he's been with us for years, Mrs. S. there won't take to him!--I
defy her or anybody else to say why, or wherefore!"

"Do you know how he was employed before he came to you?"

"Ah! now you've hit it--that's where you're right in saying he's a
mystery. What he did before I knew him, is more than I can tell--a good
deal more. He came to me with a capital recommendation and security,
from a gentleman whom I knew to be of the highest respectability. I had
a vacancy in the back office, and tried him, and found out what he was
worth, in no time--I flatter myself I've a knack at that with everybody.
Well: before I got used to his curious-looking face, and his quiet
ways, I wanted badly enough to know something about him, and w