John, though a bachelor, was the elder brother.

The great church bell, brought from the Monkshaven monastery centuries ago, high up on the opposite hill-side, began to ring nine o'clock; it was getting late.

Jeremiah began: 'It seems a bad time for starting any one on business, wi' prices and taxes and bread so dear; but John and I are getting into years, and we've no children to follow us: yet we would fain draw out of some of our worldly affairs.

We would like to give up the shop, and stick to banking, to which there seemeth a plain path.

But first there is the stock and goodwill of the shop to be disposed on.' A dead pause.