"I was very sorry to hear it, Allchin."

"Thank you, sir. You've always something kind to say. And I'm that
vexed, because I was getting on well with paying my debts. But Mr.
Boxon, sir, he's many a time made me that mad that I've gone out
into the back yard and kicked the wall till my toes were sore, just
to ease my feelings, like. To tell the truth, sir, I don't think
he's ever rightly sober, and I've heard others say the same. And his
business is fallin' off, something shockin'. Customers don't like to
be insulted; that's only natural. He's always going down to Kempton
Park, or Epsom, or some such place. They do say as he lost 'undreds
of pounds at Kempton Park last week. It's my opinion the shop can't
go on much longer. Well, sir, I thought I just ought to come and
tell you the truth of things, and I won't disturb you no longer. I
shall do my best to find another place."

Warburton's impulse was to offer temporary work in Little Ailie
Street, but he remembered that the business was not in a position to
increase expenses, and that the refinery might any day be closed.

"All right," he answered cheerily, "let me know how you get on."

When Allchin's heavy footsteps had echoed away down the stairs, Mrs.
Hopper answered her master's call.

"I suppose they have a little money to go on with?" Warburton
inquired. "I mean, enough for a week or so."

"Yes, I think they have that, sir. But I see how it'll be. My poor