ith my business. You understand
nothing whatever about it, and I shall take it as a favour if you will
leave it alone."

Mrs. Furze was aghast. Presently she took out her pocket-handkerchief
and retreated to her bedroom. Mr. Furze did not follow her, but his
dinner remained untouched. When he rose to leave, Catharine went after
him to the door, caught hold of his hand and silently kissed him, but he
did not respond.

During the dinner-hour Tom had looked in the counting-house and saw the
letters lying on the table untouched. Mr. Eaton's steward came in with
congratulations that the tender was accepted, but he could not wait. As
Mr. Furze passed through the shop Tom told him simply that the steward
had called.

"What did he want?"

"I do not know, sir."

Mr. Furze went to his papers again and shut the door. He was still more
incapable of collecting his thoughts and of determining how to begin.
First of all came the contract, but before he could settle a single step
the navigation presented itself. Then, without any progress, came the
rise in the price of iron, and so forth. In about three hours the post
would be going, and nothing was done. He cast about for some opportunity
of a renewal of intercourse with Tom, and looked anxiously through his
window, hoping that Tom might have some question to ask. At last he
could stand it no longer, and he opened the door and called out--

"Mr. Catchpole"--not the familiar "Tom." Mr. Catchpole presented
himself.

"I wish to give you some instructions about these letters. I have
arranged them in order. You will please write what I say, and I will
sign in time for the post to-night. First of all there is the contract.
You had better take the necessary action and ask the Staffordshire people
what advance they want."

"Yes, sir, but"--deferentially--"the Staffordshire people cannot claim an
advance if you accept at once: you remember the condition?"

"Certainly; what I mean is that you can accept their tender. Then there
is the meeting of creditors."

"I suppose you wish Mr. Eaton's acceptance acknowledged and the
sub-contractors at once informed?"

"Of course, of course; I said necessary action--that covers everything.
With regard to the creditors' meeting, my proposal is--"

A pause.

"Perhaps it will be as well, sir, if you merely say you will attend."

"I thought you would take that for granted. I was considering what
proposal I should make when we