Augusta, when on the evening of the day following
Tappitt's abdication, a rumour reached the brewery that Luke Rowan
had been seen walking out upon the Cawston road.

Mr. Honyman, in accordance with his instructions, called at the
brewery on that morning, and was received by Mr. Tappitt with a
sullen and almost savage submission. Mrs. T. had endeavoured to catch
him first, but in that she had failed; she did, however, manage to
see the attorney as he came out from her husband.

"It's all settled," said Honyman; "and I'll see Rowan myself before
half an hour is over."

"I'm sure it's a great blessing, Mr. Honyman," said the lady,--not on
that occasion assuming any of the glory to herself.

"It was the only thing for him," said Mr. Honyman;--"that is if he
didn't like to take the young man in as acting partner."

"That wouldn't have done at all," said Mrs. T. And then the lawyer
went his way.

In the mean time Tappitt sat sullen and wretched in the
counting-house. Such moments occur in the lives of most of
us,--moments in which the real work of life is brought to an
end,--and they cannot but be sad. It is very well to talk of ease and
dignity; but ease of spirit comes from action only, and the world's
dignity is given to those who do the world's work. Let no man put his
neck from out of the collar till in truth he can no longer draw the
weight attached to it. Tappitt had now got rid of his collar, and he
sat very wretched in his brewery counting-house.

"Be I to go, sir?"

Tappitt in his meditation was interrupted by these words, spoken
not in a rough voice, and looking up he saw Worts standing in the
counting-house before him. Worts had voted for Butler Cornbury,
whereas, had he voted for Mr. Hart, Mr. Hart would have been
returned; and, upon that, Worts, as a rebellious subject, had
received notice to quit the premises. Now his time was out, and he
came to ask whether he was to leave the scene of his forty years of
work. But what would be the use of sending Worts away even if the
wish to punish his contumacy still remained? In another week Worts
would be brought back again in triumph, and would tread those brewery
floors with the step almost of a master, while he, Tappitt, could
tread them only as a stranger, if he were allowed to tread them at
all.

"You can stay if you like," said Tappitt, hardly looking up at the
man.

"I know you be a going, Mr. Tappitt," said the man; "and I hear you
be a going very