said Mr. Kirby in his heartiest manner. "He 's one of the best men in your town, and he 's got a particular devotion to intellectual things, you know. You know him, I think?" he continued, turning round to the younger man.
"Yes," said Jimmy solemnly, "yes; at least, I don't know that I ever met Mr. Brassington, but I was at college with his son, you know that, Mr. Kirby."
"You don't know him?" said Mr. Kirby, in mild astonishment. "Well, you 'll be glad to meet him, he likes young men; and between you and me, he 's a useful kind of man to know. You know his son? I 'm sure he 's talked of you often enough! I ought to remember that!"
Jimmy winced. There was an interval of silence, during which all three men were occupied apparently with idle thoughts. It was broken by Mr. Kirby saying, as he looked at both his acquaintances in turn—
"Mr. Brassington and his son are in the hotel now. I 'll go and fetch them."
