branch into anything new; and the caution of the one probably acted as
a useful counterbalance to the energy of the other. But Samuel was not
to be held within the shop-walls: he had his plans for erecting a
great business, and no power could restrain him. He soon set forth to
the villages of Doynton and Pucklechurch, and arranged to meet the
good folks at fixed times, in one house or another convenient for
them, and there to receive their orders. He made himself their friend:
he was hearty, familiar, and in earnest; he noticed their children; he
knew their ways; and he rapidly gained their favour, and effected
considerable sales.'

'This point gained, he began to talk of supplying the smaller shops.
"Why should not we supply them as well as other people?" His brother
shrank from anything that seemed to approach the wholesale. He feared
that they would get beyond their means, and wished to pursue only the
old course. Samuel could wait, but he could not surrender. Supply the
smaller shops he would, and by degrees he managed to accomplish it.
Very gradually, the range of this quasi-wholesale trade extended.
Firmly keeping to his purpose of working all he had got, and going on
little by little, he made no abrupt enterprise--no great dash; but on,
on he plodded in the humblest way, caring nothing for show, but
careful that every foot of ground under him was solid. He gradually
began to make a modest sort of commercial journey; and among tradesmen
to whom he would not venture to offer the higher articles of grocery,
raised a considerable trade in such descriptions of goods as he might
supply without seeming to push into too important a sphere.'

Having made a lucky purchase of butter, Samuel went amongst traders of
his own kind for orders, and at first met with little but contempt. He
persevered, nevertheless, and in a little time made his way. By little