better than a clever swindler. What he said, however, had but little
effect on Baslehurst. It had become generally understood that Rowan
would spend money in the town, employing labour and struggling to
go ahead, and Baslehurst knew that such a man was desirable as a
citizen. The parchments were prepared, and the signatures were
written with the necessary amount of witnessing, and Tappitt and
Rowan once more met each other on friendly terms. Tappitt had
endeavoured to avoid this, pleading, both to Honyman and to his wife,
that his personal dislike to the young man was as great as ever; but
they had not permitted him thus to indulge his wrath. Mr. Honyman
pointed out to Mrs. Tappitt that such ill-humour might be very
detrimental to their future interests, and Tappitt had been made to
give way. We may as well declare at once that the days of Tappitt's
domestic dominion were over, as is generally the case with a man who
retires from work and allows himself to be placed, as a piece of
venerable furniture, in the chimney corner. Hitherto he, and he only,
had known what funds could be made available out of the brewery for
household purposes; and Mrs. Tappitt had been subject, at every turn
of her life, to provoking intimations of reduced profits: but now
there was the clear thousand a year, and she could demand her rights
in accordance with that sum. Tappitt, too, could never again stray
away from home with mysterious hints that matters connected with malt
and hops must be discussed at places in which beer was consumed. He
had no longer left to him any excuse for deviating from the regular
course of his life even by a hair's breadth; and before two years
were over he had learned to regard it almost as a favour to be
allowed to take a walk with one of his own girls. No man should
abdicate,--unless, indeed, he does so for his soul's advantage. As to
happiness in this life it is hardly compatible with that diminished
respect which ever attends the relinquishing of labour. Otium cum
dignitate is a dream. There is no such position at any rate for
the man who has once worked. He may have the ease or he may have
the dignity; but he can hardly combine the two. This truth the
unfortunate Tappitt learned before he had been three months settled
in the Torquay villa.

He was called upon to meet Rowan on friendly terms, and he obeyed.
The friendship was not very cordial, but such as it was it served its
purpose. The meeting took place