Rachel Ray

made to her husband on the night of the ball, before she was allowed to go to sleep. But this by no means satisfied him. He did not choose, as he declared, that any young

e that to the feeling that his table had been supplied by another man — by a young man whom he wished to regard as subject to himself, but who would not be subject, and at whom he was beginning to look with very unfavourable eyes. “A present to

ll night; and I do think you ought to let m

and then the girls had told of their partners, and Luke had declared it all to have been superb. But when the Rowans’ backs were turned, and the Tappitts were alone together, others besides old Tappitt himself had words to say in dispraise of Luke. Mrs Tappitt had been much inclined to make little of her husband’s objections to the young man while she hoped that he might possibly become her son-in-law. He might have been a thorn in the brewery, among the vats, but he would

seemed to think it al

ppitt. “I didn’t think it right, I can assure you —

quite master in the house,” said Augusta. “He was order

ster. Your papa is going to

achel?” asked Ch

. “I’m sure there was no trouble spared — nor yet expense.” She knew that she ought not to have uttered the last word, and she would have refrained if it had been possible to her — but i

is behaviour in a drawing-room. When the time came he had not even the courage to allude to those champagne bottles, and it may be as well explained that Rowan paid the little bill at Griggs’s, without further reference to the matter. But the question of the brewery management was a matter vital to Tappitt. There, among the vats, he had reigned supreme since Bungall ceased to be king, and for continual mastery there it was worth his while to make a fight. That he was under difficulties even in that fight he had already begun to know. He could

concern,” the lawyer had said.

e dogs.” He did not exactly explain to the lawyer that Rowan had carried his infatuation so far as to be desirous of

give him the ten thousand pounds. I don’t

een of opinion that all difficulties might be overcome if only Luke would fall in love with one of her girls. Mrs Rowan had been invited to Baslehurst specially with a view to some such arrangement. But Luke Rowan, as it seemed to them both now, was an obstinate young man, who, in matters of beer as well as in matters of love, would not be guided by those who best knew how to guide him. Mrs Tappitt had watched him closely at the ball, and had now given him up altogether. He had danced only once with Augusta, and then had left her

old-fashioned leather-covered table, which was strewed with his papers, and which had never been reduced to cleanliness or order within the memory of anyone connected with the establishment.

. “It’s as cool as a cucumber.

tt’s mind flew off to the champagne, and he determined that

ng. Do you know, I’m sure we could save a third of the fuel by altering the flues? I never saw su

e won’t mind the

y own. If you won’t believe me, do you ask Newman to

re a straw

nshire, and knows what he’s about b

me for the last thirty years — very well I may say also for your uncle, who understood what he was doing. I’m not ve

new machinery they’re introducing everywhere. People don’t do it because they like to spend

well for you, I dare say. You are young, and perhaps you may see your way. I’m old, and I don’t see mine among all these changes. It’s clear to me that you and I could not go on togethe

greatest. I don’t want to say anything about that now; only if I were t

rty years in the concern, and it would be odd if I with my large family were to find myself

being married ha

e look at these things down in these par

se the laws are the same. T

. “I don’t know that you’v

anagement of the business, you won’t find me a hard man to deal with as to our relative shares.” Hereupon Tappitt scratched his

at. I certainly want t

ney out of it these thirty years. You and I won’t do

ew wine into old bottles, y

wine; but I do think that I oug

ave definitely determined not to carry on the ol

think

e sure. One can’t allow ones

young man, but I am quite sure we should not do together; and to tell you

think

nev

rry for

income for a single man to begin the world with, and ther

chemical experiments, and room for philosophical inquiry, which gives the trade

eat deal will be done; but I’ve made up my mind that all that must come from the outside. All trades want improving; but I like a trade in which I can do t

n’t think Baslehurst is the gr

ry to the brewer of thirty years’ standing —“than in any other part of England. The people swill themselves with the nasty juice of the apple because sound malt and hops have never been brought wi

nder his nose; to set up with Bungall’s money another brewery in opposition to Bungall’s brewery? Could such ingratitude as tha

true. I represent Mr Bungall’s interest here in Baslehurst, and I intend

ss — this here, where I’m si

premises depends

he — In point of fact, this is the old establishm

ngall’s name. In the first place it would hardly be fair; and in the next place, by all accounts, he brewed such very bad beer that it would no

lan. I mean to go on he

tablishment on an equal footing with yourself, as regards share and management, or else I shall look to you to give

ing of a set

s, and to carry them out I must either have a concern of my own

a year,” sugg

cent would give m

ds is out of the q

my own views much the best to start alone, but I do not wish to oppose you if I c

ld be too strong for him. At the present moment he lighted a cigar and sauntered about the yard. He had now, for the first time, spoken openly of his purpose to Mr Tappitt; but, having done so, he resolved that there should be no more delay. “I’ll give him till Saturday for an answer,” he said. “If he isn’t ready with one by that time I’ll manage it through the lawyers.” After that he turned his mind to Rachel Ray and the events of the past evening. He had told Rachel that he would go out to Bragg’s End if she did not come into town, and he was quite resolved that he would do so. He knew well that she would not come in, understanding exactly

in a partnership with a youth who knew nothing of his business, but was nevertheless resolved to constitute himself the chief manager of it! He who had been so true to Bungall in his young days was now to be sacrificed in his old age to Bungall’s audacious representative! In the first of his anger he declared to his wife that he would pay no money and admit of no partnership. If Rowan did not choose to take his income as old Mrs Bungall had taken hers he might seek what redress the law would give him. It was in vain that Mrs Tappitt suggested that they would all be ruined. “Then we will be ruined,” said Tappitt hot with indignation;

such a purpose. He would have no dealings with so foul a traitor except through his lawyer, Honyman. “But Honyman thinks you’d better settle with him,” pleaded Mrs T. “Then I’ll go to another lawyer,” said Tappitt. “If Honyman won’t stand to me I’ll go to Sharpit and Longfite. They won’t give way as long as there’s a leg to stand on.” For the time Mrs Tappitt let this pass. She knew

ny again.” On this point, however, he was brought to relent before the hour of dinner. Baslehurst, his wife told him, would be against him if he turned his guests away from his house hungry. If a fight was necessary for them, it would be everything to them that Baslehurst should be with them in the fight. It was therefore

ther. At such entertainments Paterfamilias is simply required to find the provender and to carve it. If he does that satisfactorily, silence on his part is not regarded as a great evil. Mrs Tappitt knew