nd then the fine, ironical things he had said to his master. He sat in
the park all day, and when evening fell he went home at his accustomed
hour.

"His wife asked him questions as to how he had got on, and wanted to
know was there any chance of being paid for the weeks of absence; the
man answered her volubly, ate his supper and went to bed: but he did
not tell his wife that he had been dismissed and that there would be no
money at the end of the week. He tried to tell her, but when he met her
eye he found that he could not say the words--he was afraid of the look
that might come into her face when she heard it--she, standing terrified
in those dismantled rooms...!

"In the morning he ate his breakfast and went out again--to work, his
wife thought. She bid him ask the master about the three weeks' wages,
or to try and get an advance on the present week's wages, for they were
hardly put to it to buy food. He said he would do his best, but he
went straight to the park and sat looking at the pond, looking at the
passers-by and dreaming. In the middle of the day he started up in
a panic and went about the city asking for work in offices, shops,
warehouses, everywhere, but he could not get any. He trailed back
heavy-footed again to the park and sat down.

"He told his wife more lies about his work that night and what his
master had said when he asked for an advance. He couldn't bear the
children to touch him. After a little time he sneaked away to his bed.

"A week went that way. He didn't look for work any more. He sat in the
park, dreaming, with his head bowed into his hands. The next day would
be the day he should have been paid his wages. The next day! What would
his wife say when he told her he had no money? She would stare at him
and flush and say-'Didn't you go out every day to work?'--How would he
tell her then so that she could understand quickly and spare him words?

"Morning came and the man ate his breakfast silently. There was no
butter on the bread, and his wife seemed to be apologising to him for
not having any. She said, 'We'll be able to start fair from to-morrow,'
and when he snapped at her angrily she thought it was because he had to
eat dry bread.

"He went to the park and sat there for hours. Now and again he got up
and walked into a neighbouring street, but always, after half an hour
or so, he came back. Six o'clock in the evening was his hour for going
home. When six o'clock came he did not mov