f the shop, and told him that if he did not go he would be put out.

"Strength or no strength," he said, "I've got enough for you, so hop out
of this and don't come back. If you're to be free of my shop, I leave;
and that's all there is to it."

Mr. Baggs departed, having hoped that he might live to see the young man
hung with his own long line. He then pursued his way by the river,
labouring under acute emotions, and half a mile down stream met a lad
engaged in angling.

Abel Dinnett had returned home and was making holiday until his mother
should discover work for him, or he himself be able to get occupation.

For the moment Sabina found herself sufficiently busy packing up her
possessions and preparing for the forthcoming sale at 'The Magnolias.'

She was waiting to find a new home until Abel's future labour appeared;
but, in secret, Raymond Ironsyde had undertaken to obtain it, and she
knew that henceforth she would live at Bridport.

Mr. Baggs poured out his wrongs, but he did not begin immediately.
Failing adult ears, Abel's served him, and he proceeded to declare that
the new hackler was a worthless rogue, who did not know his business and
would never earn his money.

Abel, however, had reached a standard of intelligence that no longer
respected Mr. Baggs.

"I don't go to the works now," he said, "and never shall again. I don't
care nothing about them. My mother and me are going to leave Bridetown
when I get a job."

"No doubt--no doubt. Though I dare say your talk is sour grapes--seeing
as you'll never come by your rights."

Abel lifted his eyes to the iron-roofed buildings up the valley.

"Oh yes, I could," he said. "That man wants to win me now. He's going to
be married, and she--her he's going to marry--told my mother that he's
wishful for me to be his proper son and be treated according. But I
won't have his damned friendship now. It's too late now. You can't drive
hate out of a man with gifts."

"They ain't gifts--they're your right and due. 'Tis done to save his
face before the people, so they'll forgive his past and help send him
into Parliament. Look at me--fifty years of service and ten shillings a
week pension! It shall be known and 'twill lose him countless votes,
please God. A dog like that in Parliament! 'Twould be a disgrace to the
nation. And you go on hating him if you're a brave boy. Every honest man
hates him, same as I do. Twenty shillings I ought to have had, if a
penny."

"Fl