"That beautiful wife of his has though," said Jared, nursing one leg by the fire as he stirred the glue now melting in the little pot, preparing for some fresh piece of music cobbling. Mrs Jared winced and looked uncomfortable. "Bullied me terribly one day for two and ninepence. Bother the Jezebel! I hate her, if it's only for the way in which she ill-uses that child. 'Pon my soul," exclaimed Jared excitedly, "I feel sometimes as if I could take the little thing away." Here Jared stirred the glue so viciously, that a portion fell over into the fire, and a vile savour arose in his nostrils. "But it was about her he came to-day," said Mrs Jared, nervously. "What! little Pine?" "No; about Mrs Ruggles," said Mrs Jared, speaking very hurriedly. "He says there is no doubt about poor Mrs Nimmer never being able again to perform her duties; and he wants you to use any little influence you may have with Mr Gray and Mr Timson." "What for--mending?" said Jared. "No, no; to back Mrs Ruggles in trying to get the appointment of pew-opener." "What! Mrs Ruggles?" "Yes, dear," exclaimed Mrs Jared, laying down her work. "I'll see her--" "And if you will," continued Mrs Jared, hastily interrupting her husband, whose glue was again in the fire, "he says that she will not mind the distance." "I shouldn't think she would," exclaimed Jared. "Why, she'd scourge us all. Why, I hate her and she hates me, and has done ever since I spoke about her ill-using the little one. Why, before I'd stir a step to get the nasty old cat the post, I'd--" "And Mr Ruggles says, if you would speak for her, he thinks her having occupation away would make it pleasanter for those at home, and little Pine would be more left to him; and it would be conferring an obligation upon him that he would never forget." "Bother the fellow! why did he put it like that, so as to make a man eat his words? Why, I hate to see the nasty one-sided looks of the woman; and I know if I help her into the church, she'll do me an ill turn for it some time or other." "Nonsense," cried Mrs Jared. "Depend upon it the woman has some good qualities." "Ah! it's all very fine!" said Jared. "You'd take the very devil's part, if you saw him in trouble." "Hush!" exclaimed Mrs Jared; "and now you'll do your best now, won't you, and do Mr Ruggles a good turn?"--the Mr was slightly emphasised. "I promised him you would." "Men are lords of the creation," muttered Jared; "man is a free agent. Ah, well! are we going out to-night?" "Yes, and to see Janet home," was the reply; and soon after, Mrs Jared stood, big basket in hand, and ready, for it was marketing night, and there were the wants of the household to supply. Volume 1, Chapter XVI. PURKIS'S EMPORIUM.