The privations he had endured, the strain on his mind and the foul atmosphere of the city combined to defeat him.

Symptoms of the disease that had killed his father began to manifest themselves, and yielding to the repeated entreaties of his wife he returned to his native town, the shadow of his former self.
That was six months ago, and since then he had worked for Rushton & Co.
Occasionally when they had no work in hand, he was 'stood off' until something came in.
Ever since his return from London, Owen had been gradually abandoning himself to hopelessness.

Every day he felt that the disease he suffered from was obtaining a stronger grip on him.

The doctor told him to 'take plenty of nourishing food', and prescribed costly medicines which Owen had not the money to buy.
Then there was his wife.

Naturally delicate, she needed many things that he was unable to procure for her.