"Look here, Worts; if you intend to remain in this establishment I
shall expect you to support the liberal interest, as I support it
myself. The liberal interest has always been supported in Baslehurst
by Bungall and Tappitt ever since Bungall and Tappitt have existed."

"The old maister, he wouldn't a woted for ere a Jew in
Christendom,--not agin the squoire. The old maister was allays for
the Protestant religion."

"Very well, Worts; there can't be two ways of thinking here, that's
all; especially not at such a time as this, when there's more
reason than ever why those connected with the brewery should all
stand shoulder to shoulder. You've had your bread out of this
establishment, Worts, for a great many years."

"And I've 'arned it hard;--no man can't say otherwise. The sweat
o' my body belongs to the brewery, but I didn't ever sell 'em my
wote;--and I don't mean." Saying which words, with an emphasis that
was by no means servile, Worts went out from the presence of his
master.

"That man's turning against me," said Tappitt to his wife at
breakfast time, in almost mute despair.

"What! Worts?" said Mrs. Tappitt.

"Yes;--the ungrateful hound. He's been about the place almost ever
since he could speak, for more than forty years. He's had two pound a
week for the last ten years;--and now he's turning against me."

"Is he going over to Rowan?"

"I don't know where the d---- he's going. He's going to vote for
Butler Cornbury, and that's enough for me."

"Oh, T., I wouldn't mind that; especially not just now. Only think
what a help he'll be to that man!"

"I tell you he shall walk out of the brewery the week after this, if
he votes for Cornbury. There isn't room for two opinions here, and I
won't have it."

For a moment or two Mrs. Tappitt sat mute, almost in despair. Then
she took courage and spoke out.

"T.," said she, "it won't do."

"What won't do?"

"All this won't do. We shall be ruined and left without a home. I
don't mind myself; I never did; but think of the girls! What would
they do if we was turned out of this?"

"Who's to turn you out?"

"I know. I see it. I am beginning to understand. T., that man would
not go against you and the brewery if he didn't know which way the
wind is blowing. Worts is wide awake,--quite wide; he always was. T.,
you must take the offer Rowan has made of a regular income and live
retired. If you don't do it,--I shall!" And Mrs. Tappitt, as she
spoke the audaci