But surely he might keep the child?
Nay, having once taken her in charge, he must keep the child.
It was a comfort, there could be no doubt about that.

God had money enough, and certainly He would enable him to do that! Only, why then did He bring him to such poverty?
So round in his mill he went, round and round again, and back to the old evil mood.

Either there was no God, or he was a hard-used man, whom his Master did not mind bringing to shame before his enemies! He could not tell which would triumph the more--the church-butcher over dissent, or the chapel-butcher over the church-butcher, and the pastor who had rebuked him for dishonesty! His very soul was disquieted within him.

He rose at last with a tear trickling down his cheek, and walked to and fro in his garden.
Things went on nevertheless as if all was right with the world.

The Lythe flowed to the sea, and the silver-mailed salmon leaped into the more limpid air.