COUSIN PHILLIS. 53
wheels to the subject of the Holmans I could never tell; but I saw that my father's weighty praises were exciting some curiosity in Mr. Hoklsworth's mind; indeed, he said, almost in a voice of reproach, —
"Why, Paul, you never told me what kind of a fellow this minister-cousin of yours was!"
"I don't know that I found out, sir," said I. "But if I had, I don't think you'd have listened to me, as you have done to my father."
"No! most likely not, old fellow," replied Mr. Holdsworth, laughing. And again and afresh I saw what a handsome pleasant clear face his was; and though this evening I had been a bit put out with him — through his sudden coming, and his having heard my father's open-hearted confidence — my hero resumed all his empire over me by his bright merry laugh.
And if he had not resumed his old place that night, he would have done so the next day, when, after my father's departure, Mr. Holdsworth spoke about him with such just respect for his character, such ungrudging admiration of his great mechanical genius, that I was compelled to say, almost unawares, —
"Thank you, sir. I am very much obliged to you."
"Oh, you're not at all. I am only speaking the truth. Here's a Birmingham workman, self-educated, one may say — having never associated with stimulating minds, or had what advantages travel and contact with the world may be supposed to afford — working out his own thoughts into steel and iron, making a scientific name for himself — a fortune, if it pleases him to work for money — and keeping his singleness of heart, his perfect simplicity of manner; it puts me out of patience
