Weweredistinguishedundertherosebythenoticeofotherandgreatermen。ThereweredayswhenJimworeanairofunusualcapacityandresolve，spokewithmorebrevitylikeonepressedfortime，andtookoftenonhistonguesuchphrasesas“Longhursttoldmesothismorning。”or“IhaditstraightfromLonghursthimself。”Itwasnowonder，Iusedtothink，thatPinkertonwascalledtocouncilwithsuchTitans；forthecreature’squicknessandresourcewerebeyondpraise。Intheearlydayswhenheconsultedmewithoutreserve，pacingtheroom，projecting，ciphering，extendinghypotheticalinterests，treblingimaginarycapital，his“engine“torenewanexcellentoldwordlabouringfullsteamahead，Icouldneverdecidewhethermysenseofrespectorentertainmentwerethestronger。
Butthesegoodhoursweredestinedtocurtailment。
“Yes，it’ssmartenough。”Ionceobserved。“But，Pinkerton，doyouthinkit’shonest？”
“Youdon’tthinkit’shonest！”hewailed。“Odearme，thateverI
shouldhaveheardsuchanexpressiononyourlips！”