At thirteen minutes past nine he composed his face into a dour truculence, an expression to which the heavy conformation of the lower part lent itself admirably.
William Roper, looking uncommonly ill at ease, was ushered in by James Hutchings himself, and the butler had improved the thirteen shining minutes he had had with him by increasing to a considerable degree his uneasiness and anxiety.
Mr.Manley did not greet William Roper.

He stood on the hearth-rug and glowered at him with heavy truculence.

William Roper shuffled his feet and fumbled with his cap.
Then Mr.Manley said: "Her ladyship has been informed that you have been spreading scandalous reports in the village, and she has instructed me to discharge you at once." He walked across to the table, took the sheet of notepaper on which he had written the amount due to William Roper, dipped a pen in the ink, and added: "Here are your wages up to date, and a week's wages in lieu of notice.

Sign this receipt." He dipped a pen in the ink and held it out to William Roper with very much the air of Lady Macbeth presenting her husband with the dagger.
William Roper was stupefied.

Mr.Manley, truculent and dramatic, cowed him.
"I never done nothing, sir," he said feebly.
"Sign--at once!" said Mr.Manley, gazing at him with the glare of the basilisk.
"I ain't agoing to sign.