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mind that he would find a way to make this situation beneficial to himself. He glanced toward Boott and was met by his steely gaze.
    ****
    Later, as they prepared to make their way to the carriage, Boott spoke. “You remind me of myself in many ways, Matthew. I could almost hear your brain at work trying to determine how best to capitalize on your newfound place among these men of power and position.”
    Matthew felt the heat rise in his cheeks. “I count you foremost among these men, Mr. Boott.”
    Kirk gave Matthew a wry grin as he slapped him on the back. “I’m sure you do, my boy. I’m also sure that you bear watching.”
    Matthew knew the words were not spoken in jest. Boott would be watching him very closely in the future. If he was going to achieve his goal and become a member of the Boston Associates, he must be careful to do nothing that would cause Boott discomfort or concern. He chided himself for taking center stage earlier in the evening. He would need to remain low-key in the future, he thought as he followed behind Boott, shaking hands and offering his thanks and farewell to the men and their wives as they left the Appleton residence.
    Soon they were settled into the carriage that would return them to Lowell. “It was obvious you enjoyed yourself this evening,” Kirk remarked.
    Matthew leaned forward with his arms resting across his thighs. “Absolutely! I feel rather the fool for not realizing what an important role the government could play in a private business venture.”
    “It’s merely your youth and inexperience that prohibited you from gaining such knowledge—coupled with the fact that such information isn’t bantered about among strangers. As a matter of fact, I was rather surprised when Nathan broached the subject in front of you. On another note, however, I’m interested in what thoughts you might have on Thurston’s comments regarding the Irish. Do you view the situation as problematic?”
    Matthew leaned back in the coach and thought a few moments before answering. “I believe there are some valid concerns. Although Thurston was speaking of the larger settlement, there really are two separate groups settled in fairly close proximity to each other. But I’m sure you’re aware of that.”
    “No, I don’t spend any time in that area. Hugh Cummiskey is my contact with the Irish workers. When necessary, I’ve sent one of the men from the machine shop to fetch him. So the Irish are squatting on more land than any of us realized, and there is a problem. Is that what you’re telling me?”
    “I’m not certain the Irish occupy any more land than you surmise. I merely wanted to point out that there are two Paddy camps on land located slightly outside the edge of town. Two groups that do not get along very well, I might add. Depending upon how you plan to enlarge the mill community, it appears those Paddy camps could end up in the middle of town. On the other hand, you can’t build without the Irish laborers. It’s become evident the young farm boys are interested in becoming mechanics and working for Mr. Moody on the locks and canals, but—”
    “But they’ll not count themselves among the lords of the spade. Not that I blame them, of course,” Boott concluded. “The infighting . . . now, that could present a challenge. The Irish have always been a factious sort—my years in England taught me that much. If they want to survive, they need to outgrow that clan mentality they’ve brought with them.”
    Both men remained silent as the coach continued to lumber through the countryside, swaying both of them back and forth—unmercifully at times. Matthew would have much preferred Nathan Appleton’s offer that they remain in Boston for the night and depart the next morning. Boott, however, had adamantly refused, obviously convinced the mills and newborn community could not survive without him. Although Boott verbalized trust in his managers’ judgment, Matthew knew that he never