ngs keeps him sharp enough by
the ears," said Sharpit, winking to Tappitt. "Come along, old fellow,
and we'll get a drop of something really hot." Tappitt winked back
again and shook his head with an affected laugh; but as he did so he
thought of Mrs. T. at home, and the terrible words she had spoken to
him;--and at the same moment an idea came across him that Mr. Sharpit
was a very dangerous companion.

About half a dozen entered the cosy little parlour, and there they
remained for a couple of hours. While sitting in that cosy little
parlour they really did enjoy themselves. About nine o'clock they
had a bit of the raw beef broiled, and in that guise it was pleasant
enough; and the water was hot, and the tobacco was grateful and the
stiffness of the evening was gone. The men chatted together and
made no more speeches, and they talked of matters which bore a true
interest to them. Sharpit explained to them how each man might be
assisted in his own business if this rich London tailor could be
brought in for the borough. And by degrees they came round to the
affairs of the brewery, and Tappitt, as the brandy warmed him, spoke
loudly against Rowan.

"By George!" said the podgy grocer, "if anybody would offer me a
thousand a year to give up, I'd take it hopping."

"Then I wouldn't," said Tappitt, "and what's more, I won't. But
brewing ain't like other businesses;--there's more in it than in most
others."

"Of course there is," said Sharpit; "it isn't like any common trade."

"That's true too," said the podgy grocer.

A man usually receives some compensation for having gone through the
penance of the chairman's duties. For the remainder of the evening he
is entitled to the flattery of his companions, and generally receives
it till they become tipsy and insubordinate. Tappitt had not the
character of an intemperate man, but on this occasion he did exceed
the bounds of a becoming moderation. The room was hot and the tobacco
smoke was thick. The wine had been bad and the brandy was strong.
Sharpit, too, urged him to new mixtures and stronger denunciations
against Rowan, till at last, at eleven o'clock, when he took himself
to the brewery, he was not in a condition proper for the father of
such daughters or for the husband of such a wife.

"Shall I see him home?" said the podgy grocer to Mr. Sharpit.

Tappitt, with the suspicious quickness of a drunken man, turned
sharply upon the podgy and abashed grocer, and abused h