Quote 1
"Sir," said the collegian without the least embarrassment, "do I understand that you are officially connected with the Black Rapids Coal Company?"
"Yes, I happen to be president and transfer-agent."
"You are?"
"Yes, but what is it to you? You don't want to invest?"
"Why, do you sell the stock?"
"Some might be bought, perhaps; but why do you ask? you don't want to invest?"
"But supposing I did," with cool self-collectedness, "could you do up the thing for me, and here?"
"Bless my soul," gazing at him in amaze, "really, you are quite a business man. Positively, I feel afraid of you."
"Oh, no need of that.—You could sell me some of that stock, then?" (9, 11-19)
Flattery will get you everywhere in this novel—or at least it'll get you pretty far if you're talking to someone who already believes the compliments you're spinning. When Tassel calls the scholar a businessman, he's playing the innocent game: you're the savvy stock-buyer; I'm the lowly seller. Butter 'em up before you slice 'em to pieces.