The Passive brother is a good-natured, easygoing,
"dead-easy" sort of fellow; a plodding, automatic, mechanical
sort of man. He is somewhat "set" in his notions, rather
superstitious and bigoted, but very credulous and apt to
believe almost anything one may tell him, providing the new
statement does not directly conflict with some of his
preconceived notions. To get a radically new idea into his head
it is necessary to "insinuate" it into him, by degrees. He is
in the habit of deferring to the opinions of his brother, when
the latter is around, and, in his brother's absence, to the
opinions of other people. He will be apt to grant you any
favor, to give you almost anything you ask, providing you make
the request in a firm, confident manner. He is afraid of
hurting your feelings by a refusal, and will promise you
anything to get rid of you, and to avoid giving you a positive
refusal. You can sell him almost anything if his brother is not
watching him, if you go about it right. All you have to do is
to put on a bold, confident front, and take things for granted.
You know the type.
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