"Oh, father!" exclaimed Jessie. "You hold your tongue, miss," cried Dick, "and just try and have some pride in you." "How dare you speak to me like that, sir!" cried Max, frowning portentously--"how dare you! You, whom I've tried to raise out of the mud, but who always would persist in grovelling!" "I shouldn't have had to grovel so much if people paid me for the boots they ordered," said Dick. "You contemptible wretch!" cried Max. "You cloven-hoofed viper, who persists in turning and biting the hand that helped you! And after all we meant to do for you to try and raise you!--to endeavour to clothe and educate your neglected child, whose conduct as a work-girl is most reprehensible." "Look here," cried Dick, whose face was working with anger. "Silence, sir!" cried Max, thumping his stick upon the floor. "You grow lower and lower year by year, and now try to reward me by making this despicable plan to drag yourself up to my level. Now, look here. I've warned you, and it has been of no use. I have let you occupy this house, when I might have had a better tenant, and you have got in arrears." "Only two weeks," cried Mrs Shingle indignantly. "Silence, woman!" cried Max. "Don't bully her, Max, or there'll be a row," exclaimed Dick fiercely. "Silence, both of you! I say I've let you get in arrears of rent for my property; and now you shall leave it. I'll let the house to honest people who will pay--" "Oh, Mr Max!" cried Mrs Shingle imploringly. "And then I shall see the last of you, and have no more of these disgraceful meetings." "Mr Shingle, this is too bad," cried Tom. "Silence, boy!" said Max, placing one hand in the breast of his glossy frock-coat, and scowling round at all in turn. "Does any one here think I'd disgrace my honourable wife by permitting such an alliance?" "Nice brotherly behaviour, this!" cried Dick indignantly. "Brotherly?" cried Max. "Sir, I disown all relationship with you. You've hung on to my skirts too long, and now I'll be free of you. Miserable, grovelling beggar!" "I never begged or borrowed of you," said Dick. "No; because I checked the impulse, or I should have had to keep you. And now you want to disgrace me and mine." "I'm sure no man could have been more industrious," put in Mrs Shingle. "Industrious?" cried Max, looking round at the shabby half workshop, half sitting-room. "Industrious? Yes, always idling in his wretched slough, instead of trying to improve his position--to get on. But I'll have no more of it: leave this place you shall at once." "Oh, Mr Shingle--Uncle Max!" cried Jessie piteously, "it was all my fault: I ought to have known better. Don't turn poor father and mother out. They work and try so hard." "Bah!" ejaculated Max contemptuously; while Tom made for Jessie, but a heavy arm was laid across his chest.