George Gissing

“ It isn't right—that it isn't."
"Oh, don't you make any fuss," answered the good-natured lad. "I've got no use for it. I can't see you hard up, can I?"
Their earnings, put together, amply sufficed for the week's expenses, and, but for her uneasiness on Dunn's account, Maggie would have found nothing to complain of. It relieved her from an increasing apprehension when, one evening, her husband came home more like his old self, and announced a new project. ”

“ Tomlinson had made up her mind to starve out the intruder. Dunn, speedily aware of this female hostility, knew how it would end; there is no holding one's ground against the Mrs. Tomlinsons of small drapers' shops. But not a syllable of this was allowed to pass his lips, and on Monday morning he went off with a show of excellent spirits.
By Wednesday things came to a head. There was a three-cornered combat. Tomlinson abused Dunn for laziness and incompetence; Mrs. Tomlinson reviled her husband for foolish good-nature, and the assistant for every conceivable fault ”

“ His wife lamented, but Dunn was heroically determined. One whole day he spent in house-to-house visitation of a likely suburb, and his earnings at the close amounted to fourpence. Well, it was beginning: fourpence is better than nothing. On the second morning he set forth again with aching limbs and a sinking heart. ”

“ The Croydon man had no particular need of an assistant, but was willing to take Dunn in that capacity if board and lodging were all he asked.
"And I'm going," declared the out-of-work. "It's better than 'anging about doing nothing. I shall come 'ome on Saturday night and go back on the Monday morning. If the business does well, he'll be able to pay me before long; and if he can't I shall have time to look out for another place."
Maggie agreed that this sort of engagement was preferable to none at all; but it would be necessary for Dunn to have a new outfit of clothes. ”

“ Undoubtedly he looked better already; his report of the Croydon business was very hopeful. What the shop wanted was just the energy and experience which he brought to it; why, Tomlinson admitted that the takings had already increased. ”

“ And I've given you a lot o' worry. And——"
"Oh, shut up. What's the odds? I'd just as soon work as not. What's the good of sitting at 'ome all day, when it doesn't take me more than an hour or two to do all there is to do?" ”