ing his money back in his face," said Abel. "Nobody did ought to
touch his money, or work for it. And if every man and woman refused to
go in his works, then he'd be ruined."

"The wicked flourish like the green bay tree in this country, because
there's such a cruel lot of 'em, and they back each other up against the
righteous," declared Levi. "But a time's coming, and you'll live to see
it, when the world will rise against their iniquity."

"Don't take his money, then."

"It ain't his money. It's my money. He's keeping back my money. When
that John Best drops out, as he ought to do, for he's long past his
work, will he get ten shillings a week? Two pound, more like; and all
because he cringes and lies and lets the powers of darkness trample on
him! And may the money turn to poison in his mouth when he does get it."

"Everything about Ironsyde is poison," added Abel. "And that girl that
was a friend to me--he's poisoned her now, and I won't know her no more.
I won't neighbour with anybody that has a good word for him, and I won't
breathe the same air with him much longer; and I told my mother if she
took a penny from him, I'd throw her over, too."

"Quite right. I wish you was strong enough to punish him; but if you
was, he'd come whining to you and pray you not to. Men like him only
make war on women and the weak."

Abel listened.

"I'll punish him if he lives long enough," he said. "That's what I'm
after. I'll bide my time."

"And for him to dare to get up and ask the people to send him to
Parliament. But they won't. He's too well known in these parts for that.
Who's he that he should be lifted up to represent honest, God-fearing
men?"

"If there was anything to stop him getting in, I'd do it," declared
Abel.

"'Tis for us, with weight of years and experience, to keep him out. All
sensible people will vote against him, and the more that know the truth
of him the fewer will support him. And Republican though I am, I'd
rather vote for the Tory than him. And as for you, if you stood up at
his meetings when the time comes, while they were all cheering the
wretch, and cried out that you was his son--that would be sure to lose
him a good few God-fearing votes. You think of it; you might hinder him
and even work him a mint of harm that way."

The old man left Abel to consider his advice and the angler sat watching
his float for another hour. But his thoughts were on what he had heard;
and he felt no more intere