"No, there's been some greasy water in it," said Mrs. Huxter. "You're mighty anxious to wait on him," sneered Mr. Huxter. "You don't seem to think me of any consequence." His wife did not reply. Poor woman! she had a hard time of it. She had always had to contend with poverty; but poverty is not the worst of evils. If her husband had been reasonably kind, she could have borne that without repining, though it subjected her to many privations which she well knew might have been avoided had not her husband been so shiftless and intemperate. But his temper was far from sweet. He was that detestable character, a domestic tyrant, and did all in his power to make his wife uncomfortable and unhappy. She had learned that her best course was to permit his taunts and harsh words to pass unheeded, for at such times reason had no weight with him. It did not take John long to understand the position of affairs. He saw that Mrs. Huxter was disposed to be polite and kind to him, and he felt grateful. He could not help pitying her for having such a husband. "Thank you, Mrs. Huxter," he said, when she had prepared the basin for him. "I suppose you are accustomed to washing in your own room," she said. "Yes," said John; "but it's of no consequence. I can wash down here just as well." "Of course you can," said Mr. Huxter. "Come, be spry there, Oakley." John washed himself deliberately, not thinking that it was necessary to hurry himself on Mr. Huxter's account, and sat down to the table. "You're an enterprising young man," said Mr. Huxter. "I'm half through my breakfast, and you're just ready to begin." "He had a long and tiresome journey yesterday," said Mrs. Huxter. "No wonder he was tired." "So had I," said her husband. "You don't seem to think I can ever get tired, even when I've been working like a dog." "What time is it?" asked John. "Most seven." "Seven is our breakfast-hour at home," said John, quietly. "As you did not tell me you breakfasted earlier here, you could not expect me to get up sooner than I did." "That's true, Mr. Oakley," said Mrs. Huxter. "So you're siding with him,--are you?" said Mr. Huxter, angrily. John was far from being a coward. He was disposed to treat every one with courtesy and respect, but expected to be treated in the same way. Mr. Huxter's manner was so very offensive, and his words so dictatorial, that his anger was excited. He felt that he could not with proper self-respect remain silent longer. "Mr. Huxter," he said, fixing his eyes calmly on the face of his host, "you seem to forget that I am your guest, and entitled to be treated with common politeness." "Mr. Oakley is quite right," said Mrs. Huxter. "You have been very rude to him." "Do you mean to say I'm not polite?" demanded Huxter, raising his voice. It was not certain to whom this question was addressed,--to John or his wife. But John, who did not wish to get Mrs. Huxter into trouble on his account, hastened to reply:--