ne, who, as Mrs. Cavely
said, "egged on by that woman Crickledon," had been hinting at an advance
of wages.

"She didn't dare speak, but I saw what was in her when she broke a plate,
and wouldn't say she was sorry. I know she goes to Crickledon and talks
us over. She's a willing worker, but she has no heart."

Tinman had been accustomed in his shop at Helmstone--where heaven had
blessed him with the patronage of the rich, as visibly as rays of
supernal light are seen selecting from above the heads of prophets in the
illustrations to cheap holy books--to deal with willing workers that have
no hearts. Before the application for an advance of wages--and he knew
the signs of it coming--his method was to calculate how much he might be
asked for, and divide the estimated sum by the figure 4; which, as it
seemed to come from a generous impulse, and had been unsolicited, was
often humbly accepted, and the willing worker pursued her lean and hungry
course in his service. The treatment did not always agree with his males.
Women it suited; because they do not like to lift up their voices unless
they are in a passion; and if you take from them the grounds of temper,
you take their words away--you make chickens of them. And as Tinman said,
"Gratitude I never expect!" Why not? For the reason that he knew human
nature. He could record shocking instances of the ingratitude of human
nature, as revealed to him in the term of his tenure of the shop at
Helmstone. Blest from above, human nature's wickedness had from below too
frequently besulphured and suffumigated him for his memory to be dim; and
though he was ever ready to own himself an example that heaven
prevaileth, he could cite instances of scandal-mongering shop-women
dismissed and working him mischief in the town, which pointed to him in
person for a proof that the Powers of Good and Evil were still engaged in
unhappy contention. Witness Strikes! witness Revolutions!

"Tell her, when she lays the cloth, that I advance her, on account of
general good conduct, five shillings per annum. Add," said Tinman, "that
I wish no thanks. It is for her merits--to reward her; you understand me,
Martha?"

"Quite; if you think it prudent, Martin."

"I do. She is not to breathe a syllable to cook."

"She will."

"Then keep your eye on cook."

Mrs. Cavely promised she would do so. She felt sure she was paying five
shillings for ingratitude; and, therefore, it was with humility that she
ow