end to any
excitement on Rowan's part.

"It's the gentleman's own mother," said the chambermaid, in a tone
of reproof, "and she's in number two sitting-room, private." So Luke
went to number two sitting-room, private, and there he found his
mother waiting for him.

"This is very sad," she said, when their first greetings were over.

"About old Tappitt? yes, it is; but what could I do, mother? He's a
stupid old man, and pig-headed. He would quarrel with me, so that
I was obliged to leave the house. If you and Mary like to come into
lodgings while you stay here, I can get rooms for you."

But Mrs. Rowan explained that she herself did not wish to come to
any absolute or immediate rupture with Mrs. Tappitt. Of course their
visit would be shortened, but Mrs. Tappitt was disposed to be very
civil, as were the girls. Then Mrs. Rowan suggested whether there
might not be a reconciliation between Luke and the brewery family.

"But, mother, I have not quarrelled with the family."

"It comes to the same thing, Luke; does it not? Don't you think you
could say something civil to Mr. Tappitt, so as to--to bring him
round again? He's older than you are, you know, Luke."

Rowan perceived at once that his mother was ranging herself on the
Tappitt side in the contest, and was therefore ready to fight with
so much the more vigour. He was accustomed to yield to his mother in
all little things, Mrs. Rowan being a woman who liked such yieldings;
but for some time past he had held his own against her in all greater
matters. Now and again, for an hour or so, she would show that she
was vexed; but her admiration for him was so genuine, and her love so
strong, that this vexation never endured, and Luke had been taught
to think that his judgment was to be held supreme in all their joint
concerns. "Yes, mother, he is older than I am; but I do not know that
I can say anything particularly civil to him,--that is, more civil
than what I have said. The civility which he wants is the surrender
of my rights. I can't be so civil as that."

"No, Luke, I should be the last to ask you to surrender any of your
rights; you must be sure of that. But--oh, Luke, if what I hear is
true I shall be so unhappy!"

"And what have you heard, mother?"

"I am afraid all this is not about the brewery altogether."

"But it is about the brewery altogether;--about that and about
nothing else to any smallest extent. I don't at all know what you
mean."

"Luke,