e of its provisions,
and now the solicitors had written to him requesting him to be present at
a most important conference in London that day week. There was also a
notice from the Navigation Commissioners informing him that, in
consequence of an accident at one of their locks, it would be fully a
fortnight before any barge could pass through, and he knew that his
supply of smithery coal would be exhausted before that date, as he had
refrained from purchasing in consequence of high prices. To crown
everything a tap came at the door, and in walked his chief man at the
foundry to announce that he would shortly leave, as he had obtained a
better berth. Mr. Furze by this time was so confused that he said
nothing but "Very well," and when the man had gone he leaned his head on
his elbows in despair. He looked through the glass window of the
counting-house and saw Tom quietly weighing some nails. He would have
given anything if he could have called him in, but he could not. As to
dismissing him, it was out of the question now, and yet his sense of
dependence on him excited a jealousy nearly as intense as his wife's
animosity. When a man cannot submit to be helped he dislikes the
benevolent friend who offers assistance worse than an avowed enemy. Mr.
Furze felt as if he must at once request Tom's aid, and at the same time
do him some grievous bodily harm.

The morning passed away and nothing was advanced one single step. He
went home to his dinner excited, and he was dangerous. It is very
trying, when we are in a coil of difficulty, out of which we see no way
of escape, to hear some silly thing suggested by an outsider who perhaps
has not spent five minutes in considering the case. Mrs. Furze, knowing
nothing of Mr. Eaton's contract, of the blacksmith's failure, of the
advance in iron, of the trust meeting, of the stoppage of the navigation,
and of the departure of the foundryman, asked her husband the moment the
servant had brought in the dinner and had left the room--

"Well, my dear, what did Tom say when you told him to go?"

"I haven't told him."

"Not told him, my dear! how is that?"

"I wish with all my heart you'd mind your own affairs."

"Mr. Furze! what is the matter? You do not seem to know what you are
saying."

"I know perfectly well what I am saying. I wish you knew what _you_ are
saying. When we came up here to the Terrace--much good has it done us--I
thought I should have no interference w