He had been having a hard struggle in his business as we have seen; but so far his shoulders had been broad enough for the burdens they had had to carry, and his heart had always been light. Since Jagger’s “conversion” he had scarcely had a care in the world; for the loss of his little capital had left him unmoved, and it is true to say that the contemplation of Baldwin’s misfortune had given him more sorrow than anything he had experienced since the death of his wife. It afforded him little satisfaction to realise that as Baldwin’s embarrassments increased his own diminished; that the “hurdles” were being removed one by one out of his path; and that a moderate prosperity was opening out before him. It was not until Baldwin took to drink that Maniwel allowed himself to give way to depression, however, and when he found that his son received the news with an indifference that was not far removed from satisfaction his wrath was aroused. “If there’s rejoicing in the presence o’ the angels of God over a sinner ’at repenteth,” he said, “there’s like to be rejoicing amongst t’other sort over one ’at sinks deeper into t’ mire; but I should grieve for a son o’ mine to join in such a devil-dance! I’m for lending Baldwin a hand if it can be done at all. He’s both ox and ass, is Baldwin; and if he can be got out o’ t’ pit it’s our duty to do it.” “And have your labour for your pains,” commented Jagger. “It won’t be t’ first time I’ve worked for naught, and been no worse for’t,” replied Maniwel. He chose his opportunity when he had seen Inman pass on his way to the station, and early in the afternoon he walked up to Baldwin’s workshop. There was no one downstairs and all was quiet above, but when he reached the next storey he heard a sound in Baldwin’s office and went in, as he had always done—as everybody did—without waiting for an answer to his knock. There was a bottle on the table and a glass half full of spirits was in Baldwin’s hand. He set it down angrily when he recognised his visitor, and with a curse bade him begone. “I neither know nor care what brings tha!” he shouted. “Get outside, afore I help tha down!” “Baldwin!” said Maniwel in a firm but kindly tone; “there never was a time, lad, when tha needed a friend more than tha does now, and I doubt if tha has one i’ t’ world, barring my-sen. I’ve come as a friend——” “I won’t listen to tha,” shouted the infuriated man, who had already had drink enough to inflame his passion. “I tell tha I’ll do tha an injury if tha doesn’t take thi-sen off! Damn tha! Isn’t it enough ’at tha’s ruined me; thee and thy son——!” “God help tha, lad!” broke in Maniwel; “tha can’t do me half as big an injury as tha’s doing thi-sen, and I’m flayed them ’at’s advising tha is doing tha no good.”