The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 179: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

170 THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. Grindem, still excited by the insulting sneers of Flin, entered the room. He wanted something to vent his spleen upon—a sort of safety valve to his pent-up ill-humour—and, unfortunately, he selected Small on the occasion. ** You take it at your ease, Mr. Small,” he observed, sharply. Sur!” “No reply, sir. I am notin the habit of puttng up with impertinence—I’ll not be rephed to. Do you suppose I gave you a share in the firm to stand there all day, roasting your back to the fire, and twiddling your thumbs, like a schoolboy who does not know his lessons? Did you ever see me twiddle my thumbs, sir’? he added, fiercely. ‘“* Certainly not.” ; “I don’t know what would become of the affairs of the house if I did. Why don’t you interest yourself more in the business of the firm ?” “I wntend to do so!” replied Small, with marked emphasis, ‘* I wntend to do so, sir!” Had Grindem seen the look of hatred, and observed the ironical air of the speaker, he would have bated something of his haughty tone ; for he was a prudent man, and only struck where he thought himself secure. | * Do you?” said Gilbert ; “‘ time you did.” “In fact, sir,” added his partner, in a tone of even more than usual subserviency—for he began to feel a COniiclooecl SS (SO