Though he might stay hours, he, each moment,
gave the impression that everybody must speak quickly or he would
be gone, might quickly be rid of him by speaking quickly.
Obviously, intercourse with him was socially unsatisfactory; but
this did not trouble him, as his theory of life was, get what you
want, never mind the way or the feelings of others. And as he got
by giving, attached his friends by self-interest, made people do
for him what it was just as well that they should do, the net
result, after the confusion and irritation had calmed, was that
everybody felt, on the whole, well content with having been
compelled. It was said of him that he made even his enemies work
for him; and this was undoubtedly true--in the sense in which it
was meant as well as in the deeper sense that a man's enemies, if
he be strong, are his most assiduous allies and advocates. It was
also true that he did a great deal for people. Where most men do
favors only when the prospect of return is immediate, he busied
himself as energetically if returns seemed remote, even
improbable, as he did when his right hand was taking in with
interest as his left hand gave. It was his nature to be generous,
to like to give; it was also his nature to see that a reputation
for real generosity and kindness of heart was an invaluable asset,
and that the only way to win such a reputation was by deserving
it.
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