t everything shall be
above-board, Mr. Tappitt."

"My plan? I've got no plan. I mean to go on here as I've always
done."

"But I suppose you intend to come to some arrangement with me. My
claims are these: I will either come into this establishment on an
equal footing with yourself, as regards share and management, or else
I shall look to you to give me the sum of money to which my lawyers
tell me I am entitled. In fact, you must either take me in or buy me
out."

"I was thinking of a settled income."

"No; it wouldn't suit me. I have told you what are my intentions, and
to carry them out I must either have a concern of my own, or a share
in a concern. A settled income would do me no good."

"Two hundred a-year," suggested Tappitt.

"Psha! Three per cent. would give me three hundred."

"Ten thousand pounds is out of the question, you know."

"Very well, Mr. Tappitt. I can't say anything fairer than I have
done. It will suit my own views much the best to start alone, but I
do not wish to oppose you if I can help it. Start alone I certainly
will, if I cannot come in here on my own terms."

After that there was nothing more said. Tappitt turned round,
pretending to read his letters, and Rowan descending from his seat
walked out into the yard of the brewery. His intention had been, ever
since he had looked around him in Baslehurst, to be master of that
place, or if not of that, to be master of some other. "It would break
my heart to be sending out such stuff as that all my life," he said
to himself, as he watched the muddy stream run out of the shallow
coolers. He had resolved that he would brew good beer. As to that
ambition of putting down the consumption of cider, I myself am
inclined to think that the habits of the country would be too strong
for him. At the present moment he lighted a cigar and sauntered
about the yard. He had now, for the first time, spoken openly of his
purpose to Mr. Tappitt; but, having done so, he resolved that there
should be no more delay. "I'll give him till Saturday for an answer,"
he said. "If he isn't ready with one by that time I'll manage it
through the lawyers." After that he turned his mind to Rachel Ray and
the events of the past evening. He had told Rachel that he would go
out to Bragg's End if she did not come into town, and he was quite
resolved that he would do so. He knew well that she would not come
in, understanding exactly those feelings of hers which would prevent