During dinner neither of the friends wasted much time in talk; but after dinner, Bayne produced a bottle of port, notwithstanding Henry’s remonstrances at being treated like a stranger, and it soon became apparent that the host himself was not in the habit of drinking that generous mixture every day.  At the second glass he so far forgot himself as to utter the phrase “Eternal friendship,” and, soon after, he began to writhe in his chair, and, at last, could no longer refrain himself, but told Henry that Miss Carden had been canvassing customers.  She had just sent in six orders for sets of carving-tools, all for friends of her own.

Henry colored to the temples at this unexpected proof that she he loved thought of him too.

“Oh, Bayne,” cried the poor young man, almost choking, “I little thought—­God bless her!”

“Let us drink her health,” said Bayne, excitedly.

“Ah, that I will!” and this was the first glass Henry drank honestly.

“Now, Little, I’m not doing quite right, you know; but I must tell you.  When we lost you—­you know that set of tools the Union dropped in our yard—­well, he sent them to London for yours.”

“That is just like him,” said Henry, bitterly.

“And I’ll tell you a good joke; they were in the place when you called, only not unpacked till just before I came away.  Returned, sir! with a severe reprimand.  ’Wonder you should send us such things as these for carving-tools by Little.  If the error is not repaired shall consider ourselves at liberty to communicate direct with that workman.’  A regular sugar-plum.”

“Oh, thank you, my kind friend, for telling me.  The world isn’t all bitterness, after all:  a poor fellow gets a sweet drop of friendship now and then.”

“Yes, and a good drop of port now and then, though I say it that shouldn’t.  Fill up.  Well, my boy, Cheetham is in a fine way.  I left him walking about the office like a hyena.  So now is your time.  You can’t fight the Trades; but, if Cheetham will go in with you, and I know he will, for he is sorer than you are, you can trick the Trades yet.”

“Ah! tell me how, that is all.”

“Oh, I can’t tell you exactly.  I’ll try, though.  I say, what a glorious thing the Ruby is:  it inspires us, and fires us, et cetera, and gives us ideas beyond our sphere.  Did you ever see one of these new portable forges?”

“No; never heard of them.”

“No wonder; they are just out.  Well, buy one of them—­they were invented here—­and carry it to some dismal cavern, where the foot of man never treads:  make Cheetham grind your blades in another county:  and who will ever know?  Go to him, and don’t say a word, but just ask him for your month’s salary.  Then he will open the door of business himself—­safe.  I’ll drink his health.  He’s not a bad sort, Cheetham:  only he’d sell his soul for money.  I hate such rubbish.  Here’s ’Perdition to the lot; and no heel-taps.’”