When a man is put out in business and things go wrong with him it is unhappily too often his custom to vent his ill temper upon innocent persons; and I fancy from what I hear--you know in a little place like this every one's business is more or less known--Mr.Mulready has a good deal to put him out.

He has erected new machinery and dare not put it to work, owing as I hear--for he has lain the documents before the magistrates--for his having received threatening letters warning him against doing so.

This is very trying to the man.

Then, Ned, you will excuse my saying that perhaps he is somewhat tried at home.

It is no pleasant thing for a man to have a young fellow like yourself in the house taking up an attitude of constant hostility.