What important job did Mr. Lapham get and how was Johnny instrumental in securing it? From chapters 1-2

John Hancock brought a beautiful pitcher to show Mr. Lapham the design and to order a sugar basin to match. Johnny asks if the pitcher was made by John Coney, but it turns out that it was made by Mr. Lapham himself. Mr. Lapham hesitates before taking the assignment; he worries that he no longer has the skill to make such a fine object. Johnny steps in and assures Mr. Hancock that the sugar basin will be done on time and to his standards.