household consisting of Nicholas Peak, his wife, their
three-year-old daughter, their newly-born son, and a blind sister of
Nicholas, dependent upon him for sustenance. Mr. Peak, aged thirty
and now four years wedded, had a small cottage on the outskirts of
Greenwich. He was employed as dispenser, at a salary of thirty-five
shillings a week, by a medical man with a large practice. His
income, therefore, fell considerably within the hundred pound limit;
and, all things considered, it was not unreasonable that he should
be allowed to expend the whole of this sum on domestic necessities.
But it came to pass that Nicholas, in his greed of wealth, obtained
supplementary employment, which benefited him to the extent of a
yearly ten pounds. Called upon to render his statement to the
surveyor of income-tax, he declared himself in possession of a
hundred and one pounds per annum; consequently, he stood indebted to
the Exchequer in the sum of four pounds, sixteen shillings, and
ninepence. His countenance darkened, as also did that of Mrs. Peak.

'This is wrong and cruel--dreadfully cruel!' cried the latter,
with tears in her eyes.

'It is; but that's no new thing,' was the bitter reply.

'I think it's wrong of ~you~, Nicholas. What need is there to say
anything about that ten pounds? It's taking the food out of our
mouths.'

Knowing only the letter of the law, Mr. Peak answered sternly:

'My income is a hundred and one pounds. I can't sign my name to a
lie.'