ommunicate direct with that workman.' A regular
sugar-plum."

"Oh, thank you, my kind friend, for telling me. The world isn't all
bitterness, after all: a poor fellow gets a sweet drop of friendship now
and then."

"Yes, and a good drop of port now and then, though I say it that
shouldn't. Fill up. Well, my boy, Cheetham is in a fine way. I left him
walking about the office like a hyena. So now is your time. You can't
fight the Trades; but, if Cheetham will go in with you, and I know he
will, for he is sorer than you are, you can trick the Trades yet."

"Ah! tell me how, that is all."

"Oh, I can't tell you exactly. I'll try, though. I say, what a glorious
thing the Ruby is: it inspires us, and fires us, et cetera, and gives
us ideas beyond our sphere. Did you ever see one of these new portable
forges?"

"No; never heard of them."

"No wonder; they are just out. Well, buy one of them--they were invented
here--and carry it to some dismal cavern, where the foot of man never
treads: make Cheetham grind your blades in another county: and who will
ever know? Go to him, and don't say a word, but just ask him for your
month's salary. Then he will open the door of business himself--safe.
I'll drink his health. He's not a bad sort, Cheetham: only he'd sell his
soul for money. I hate such rubbish. Here's 'Perdition to the lot; and
no heel-taps.'"

These words of fire set Henry pondering deeply; and, as he pondered,
Bayne stuck to the port, and so effectually, that, at last, after an
interval of silence, he came out in a new character. He disturbed his
companion's reverie by informing him, in a loud, aggressive tone, that
it had long been his secret wish to encounter the Hillsborough Trades,
in the persons of their secretaries, under the following conditions: a
twenty-four feet ring, an experienced referee, and a kingdom looking
on. As to the order of the pugilistic events, he was not unreasonably
fastidious; must stipulate to begin with old Smitem; but, after that,
they might encounter their fate in any order they chose, one down
t'other come on. He let him know that this ardent desire for single
combats, in an interminable series, arose from their treatment of his
friend--"the best friend--the best heart--oh!--the best company--oh!
oh!--the best--oh! oh! oh!" Whereupon he wept, the bellicose Bayne. And,
after weeping the usual quantity, he twaddled, and, after twaddling, he
became as pacific as ever, for he went to slee