set to music on the new system, for them to sing the while; this very Fern--I see him now--touched that hat of his, and said, 'I humbly ask your pardon, my lady, but _an't_ I something different from a great girl?' I expected it, of course; who can expect anything but insolence and ingratitude from that class of people? That is not to the purpose, however. Sir Joseph! Make an example of him!" Trotty, who had long ago relapsed, and was very low-spirited, stepped forward with a rueful face to take the letter Sir Joseph held out to him. "You have heard, perhaps," said Sir Joseph, oracularly, "certain remarks into which I have been led respecting the solemn period of time at which we have arrived, and the duty imposed upon us of settling our affairs, and being prepared. Now, my friend, can you lay your hand upon your heart, and say that you also have made preparation for a New Year?" "I am afraid, sir," stammered Trotty, looking meekly at him, "that I am a--a--little behind-hand with the world." "Behind-hand with the world!" repeated Sir Joseph Bowley, in a tone of terrible distinctness. "I am afraid, sir," faltered Trotty, "that there's a matter of ten or twelve shillings owing to Mrs. Chickenstalker." "To Mrs. Chickenstalker!" repeated Sir Joseph, in the same tone as before. "A shop, sir," exclaimed Toby, "in the general line. Also a--a little money on account of rent. A very little, sir. It oughtn't to be owing, I know, but we have been hard put to it, indeed!" Sir Joseph looked at his lady, and at Mr. Fish, and at Trotty, one after another, twice all round. He then made a despondent gesture with both hands at once, as if he gave the thing up altogether. "How a man, even among this improvident and impracticable race; an old man; a man grown grey; can look a New Year in the face with his affairs in this condition; how he can lie down on his bed at night, and get up again in the morning, and--There!" he said, turning his back on Trotty. "Take the letter! Take the letter!" "I heartily wish it was otherwise, sir," said Trotty, anxious to excuse himself. "We have been tried very hard." Sir Joseph still repeating "Take the letter, take the letter!" and Mr. Fish not only saying the same thing, but giving additional force to the request by motioning the bearer to the door, he had nothing for it but to make his bow and leave the house. And in the street, poor Trotty pulled his worn old hat down on his head to hide the grief he felt at getting no hold on the New Year, anywhere.