in the dining-room of the brewery,
and Mrs. Tappitt was present on the occasion. The lady received her
visitor with some little affectation of grandeur, while T., standing
with his hands in his pockets on his own rug, looked like a whipped
hound. The right hand he was soon forced to bring forth, as Rowan
demanded it that he might shake it.

"I am very glad that this affair has been settled between us
amicably," said Luke, while he still held the hand of the abdicating
brewer.

"Yes; well, I suppose it's for the best," said Tappitt, bringing out
his words uncomfortably and with hesitation. "Take care and mind what
you're about, or I suppose I shall have to come back again."

"There'll be no fear of that, I think," said Rowan.

"I hope not," said Mrs. Tappitt, with a tone that showed that she
was much better able to master the occasion than her husband. "I
hope not; but this is a great undertaking for so young a man, and I
trust you feel your responsibility. It would be disagreeable to us,
of course, to have to return to the brewery after having settled
ourselves pleasantly at Torquay; but we shall have to do so if things
go wrong with you."

"Don't be frightened, Mrs. Tappitt; you shall never have to come back
here."

"I hope not; but it is always well to be on one's guard. I am
sure you must be aware that Mr. Tappitt has behaved to you very
generously; and if you have the high principle for which we are
willing to give you credit, and which you ought to possess for the
management of such an undertaking as the brewery, you will be careful
that me and my daughters shan't be put to inconvenience by any delay
in paying up the income regularly."

"Don't be afraid about that, Mrs. Tappitt."

"Into the bank on quarter day, if you please, Mr. Rowan. Short
accounts make long friends. And as Mr. T. won't want to be troubled
with letters and such-like, you can send me a line to Montpellier
Villa, Torquay, just to say that it's done."

"Oh, I'll see to that," said Tappitt.

"My dear, as Mr. Rowan is so young for the business there'll be
nothing like getting him to write a letter himself, saying that the
money is paid. It'll keep him up to the mark like, and I'm sure I
shan't mind the trouble."

"Don't you be alarmed about the money, Mrs. Tappitt," said Rowan,
laughing; "and in order that you may know how the old shop is going
on, I'll always send you at Christmas sixteen gallons of the best
stuff we're brewing."