One ray of hope, however, Mr. Best recognised:  Raymond did show an honest and genuine interest in the machines.  He had told the foreman that he believed the great problem lay there, and where machinery was concerned he could be exceedingly intelligent and rational.  This trait in him had a bearing on the future and, in time to come, John Best remembered its inception and perceived how it had developed.

Now, his fruit dispensed, Raymond talked with Sabina about the Spinning Frame and instructed Mrs. Northover, who was an acquaintance of his, in its mysteries.

“These are old-fashioned frames,” he declared, “and I shan’t rest till I’ve turned them out of the works and got the latest and best.  I’m all for the new things, because they help the workers and give good results.  In fact, I tell my brother that he’s behind the times.  That’s the advantage of coming to a subject fresh, with your mind unprejudiced.  Daniel’s all bound up in the past and, of course, everything my father did must be right; but I know better.  You have to move with the times, and if you don’t you’ll get left.”

“That’s true enough, Mr. Ironsyde, whatever your business may be,” answered Mrs. Northover.

“Of course—­look at ‘The Seven Stars.’  You’re always up to date, and why should my spinners—­I call them mine—­why should they have to spin on machines that come out of the ark, when, by spending a few thousand, they could have the latest?”

“You’ve got to balance cost against value,” answered the innkeeper.  “It don’t do to dash at things.  One likes for the new to be tried on its merits first, and then, if it proves all that’s claimed for it, you go in and keep abreast of the times according; but the old will often be found as good as the new; and so Mr. Daniel no doubt looks before he leaps.”

“That’s cowardly in my opinion,” replied Raymond.  “You must take the chances.  Of course if you’re frightened to back your judgment, then that shows you’re a second class man with a second class sort of mind; but if you believe in yourself, as everybody does who is any good, then you go ahead, and if you come a purler now and again, that’s nothing, because you get it back in other ways.  I’m not frightened to chance my luck, am I, Sabina?”

“Never was such a brave one, I’m sure,” she said, conscious of their secret.

“If you haven’t got nerve, you’re no good,” summed up the young man; “and if you have got nerve, then use it and break out of the beaten track and welcome your luck and court a few adventures for your soul’s sake.”

“All very well for you men,” said Mrs. Northover.  “You can have adventures and no great harm done; but us women, if we try for adventures, we come to a bad end.”

“Nobody’s more adventurous than you,” answered Raymond.  “Look at your gardens and your teas for a bob ahead.  Wasn’t that an adventure—­to give a better tea than anybody in Bridport?”