inimical to his father. His reason asked harshly
why he should be desolated, as he undoubtedly was. The prospect of
freedom, of release from a horrible and humiliating servitude--this
prospect ought to have dazzled and uplifted him, in the safe, inviolable
privacy of his own heart. But it did not... What a chump the doctor
was, to be so uncommunicative! And he himself! ... By the way, he had
not told Maggie. It was like her to manifest no immediate curiosity, to
be content to wait... He supposed he must call at his aunt's, and even
at Clara's. But what should he say when they asked him why he had not
asked the doctor for a name?

Suddenly an approaching man whose face was vaguely familiar but with
whom he had no acquaintance whatever, swerved across the footpath and
stopped him.

"What's amiss with th' old gentleman?" It was astounding how news flew
in the town!

"He's not very well. Doctor's ordered him a rest."

"Not in bed, is he?"

"Oh no!" Edwin lightly scorned the suggestion.

"Well, I do hope it's nothing serious. Good morning."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

THREE.

Edwin was detained a long time in the shop by a sub-manager from
Bostocks in Hanbridge who was waiting, and who had come about an
estimate for a rather considerable order. This man desired a decrease
of the estimate and an increased speed in execution. He was curt. He
was one business firm offering an ultimatum to another business firm.
He asked Edwin whether Edwin could decide at once. Edwin said
`Certainly,' using a tone that he had never used before. He decided.
The man departed, and Edwin saw him spring on to the Hanbridge car as it
swept down the hill. The man would not have been interested in the news
that Darius Clayhanger had been to business for the last time. Edwin
was glad of the incident because it had preserved him from embarrassed
conversation with Stifford. Two hours earlier he had called for a few
moments at the shop, and even then, ere Edwin had spoken, Stifford's
face showed that he knew something sinister had occurred. With a few
words of instruction to Stifford, he now went through towards the
workshops to speak with Big James about the Bostock order.

All the workmen and apprentices were self-conscious. And Edwin could
not speak naturally to Big James. When he had come to an agreement with
Big James as to the execution of the order, the latter said--