This was the beginning of that evening's conversation. I am inclined to think that Mrs. Tappitt had made her calculations, and had concluded that she could put forth her coming observations more efficaciously by having her husband in bad humour, than she could, if she succeeded in coaxing him into a good humour. I think that she made the above remarks, not solely because the fumes of tobacco were distasteful to her, but because the possession of a grievance might give her an opportunity of commencing the forthcoming debate with some better amount of justified indignation on her own side. It was not often that she begrudged Tappitt his pipe, or made ill-natured remarks about his gin and water. "T.," she said, when Tappitt had torn off his coat in some anger at the allusion to "filthy strong stuff,"--"T., what do you mean to do about this lawsuit?" "I don't mean to do anything." "That's nonsense, T.; you must do something, you know. What does Mr. Honyman say?" "Honyman is a fool." "Nonsense, T.; he's not a fool. Or if he is, why have you let him manage your affairs so long? But I don't believe he's a fool at all. I believe he knows what he's talking about, quite as well as some others, who pretend to be so clever. As to your going to Sharpit and Longfite, it's quite out of the question." "Who's talking of going to them?" "You did talk of it." "No I didn't. You heard me mention their names; but I never said that I should go to them at all. I almost wish I had." "Now, T., don't talk in that way, or you'll really put me beside myself." "I don't want to talk of it at all. I only want to go to bed." "But we must talk of it, T. It's all very well for you to say you don't want to talk of things; but what is to become of me and my girls if everything goes astray at the brewery? You can't expect me to sit by quiet and see you ruined." "Who talks about my being ruined?" "Well, I believe all Baslehurst pretty well is talking about it. If a man will go on with a lawsuit when his own lawyer says he oughtn't, what else can come to him but ruin?" "You don't know anything about it. I wish you'd hold your tongue, and let me go to bed." "I do know something about it, Mr. Tappitt; and I won't hold my tongue. It's all very well for you to bid me hold my tongue; but am I to sit by and see you ruined, and the girls left without a bit to eat or a thing to wear? Goodness knows I've never thought much about myself. Nobody will ever say that of me. But it has come to this, T.; that something must be settled about Rowan's claim. If he hasn't got justice, he's got law on his side; and he seems to be one of those who don't care much as long as he's got that. If you ask me, T.--" "But I didn't ask you," said Tappitt. Tappitt never actually succumbed in these matrimonial encounters, and would always maintain courage for a sharp word, even to the last.