 he resumed his seat and drank to my sister. »Let us
never be blind,« said Mr. Pumblechook, »to her faults of temper, but it is to be
hoped she meant well.«
    At about this time, I began to observe that he was getting flushed in the
face; as to myself, I felt all face, steeped in wine and smarting.
    I mentioned to Mr. Pumblechook that I wished to have my new clothes sent to
his house, and he was ecstatic on my so distinguishing him. I mentioned my
reason for desiring to avoid observation in the village, and he lauded it to the
skies. There was nobody but himself, he intimated, worthy of my confidence, and
- in short, might he? Then he asked me tenderly if I remembered our boyish games
at sums, and how we had gone together to have me bound apprentice, and, in
effect, how he had ever been my favourite fancy and my chosen friend? If I had
taken ten times as many glasses of wine as I had, I should have known that he
never had stood in that relation towards me, and should in my heart of hearts
have repudiated the idea. Yet for all that, I remember feeling convinced that I
had been much mistaken in him, and that he was a sensible practical good-hearted
prime fellow.
    By degrees he fell to reposing such great confidence in me, as to ask my
advice in reference to his own affairs. He mentioned that there was an
opportunity for a great amalgamation and monopoly of the corn and seed trade on
those premises, if enlarged, such as had never occurred before in that, or any
other neighbourhood. What alone was wanting to the realisation of a vast
fortune, he considered to be More Capital. Those were the two little words, more
capital. Now it appeared to him (Pumblechook) that if that capital were got into
the business, through a sleeping partner, sir - which sleeping partner would
have nothing to do but walk in, by self or deputy, whenever he pleased, and
examine the books - and walk in twice a year and take his profits away in his
pocket, to the tune of fifty per cent. - it appeared to him that that might be
an opening for a young gentleman of spirit combined with property, which would
be worthy of his attention. But what did I think? He had great confidence in my
opinion, and what did I think? I gave it as my opinion, »Wait a bit!« The united
vastness and distinctness of this view
