ver came
across in my life. I don't suppose anyone ever before was recommended
for a post by a Protestant divinity professor, a notoriously violent
political agitator, a Roman Catholic priest, and a--well, we won't
describe my brother. How do you come to be mixed up with all these
people? Who are you?'

'I am the son of AEneas Conneally, Rector of Carrowkeel, who died last
Christmas.'

'Well,' said James Quinn, 'I suppose if all these people are prepared
to recommend you, your character must be all right. Now, tell me, do you
know what the post is you are applying for?'

'No,' said Hyacinth. 'And I may as well say that I have had no
experience or business training whatever.'

'So I should suppose from the way you have come to me. Well, my brother
was clerk and traveller for my business. He was supposed to help me to
keep accounts and to push the sale of my goods among the shopkeepers
in Connaught. As a matter of fact, he never did either the one or the
other. When he was at home he did nothing. When he was on the road
he bought and sold horses. I paid him eighty pounds a year and his
travelling expenses. I also promised him a percentage on the profits of
the sales he effected. Now, do you think this work would suit you?'

'I might not be able to do it,' said Hyacinth, 'but I should very much
like to be allowed to try. I can understand that I shall be very little
use at first, and I am willing to work without any salary for a time,
perhaps six months, until I have learned something about your business.'

'Come, now, that's a business-like offer. I'll give you a trial, if it
was only for the sake of your list of references. I won't keep you six
months without paying you if you turn out to be any good at all. And I
think there must be something in you, for you've gone about getting this
job in the queerest way I ever heard of. Would you like any time to make
up your mind finally before accepting the post?'

'No,' said Hyacinth; 'I accept at once.'

They walked together through the mill, and looked at the machines and
the workers. The girls smiled when Mr. Quinn stopped to speak to them,
and looked with frank curiosity at Hyacinth. The three or four men who
did the heavier work stopped and chatted for a few minutes when they
came to them. Evidently there was no soreness or distrust here between
the employer and the employed. When they had gone through the rooms
where the work was going on, they climbed a staircase