, Richard found himself wrestling
again with the troubles which had kept him wakeful for the last two nights. He
had believed them finally thrown and got rid of. Behold, they were more stubborn
than ever.
    He kept silence so long that his brother spoke.
    »What sort of a job is it?«
    To his surprise, Richard displayed sudden anger.
    »If you weren't such a young fool you'd see what's best for you, and go on
as I meant you to! What do you mean by saying you won't work? If you weren't
such a thickhead you might go to school and be taught how to behave yourself,
and how a man ought to live; but it's no use sending you to any such place.
Can't you understand that a man with money has to find some sort of position in
the world? I suppose you'd like to spend the rest of your life in public-houses
and music-halls?«
    Richard was well aware that to give way to his temper was worse than
useless, and could only defeat every end; but something within him just now
gnawed so intolerably that there was nothing for it but an outbreak. The
difficulties of life were hedging him in - difficulties he could not have
conceived till they became matter of practical experience. And unfortunately a
great many of them were not of an honest kind; they would not bear exposing. For
a man of decision, Mutimer was getting strangely remote from practical roads.
    »I shall live as I like,« observed 'Arry, thrusting out his legs and bending
his body forward, a combination of movements which, I know not why, especially
suggests dissoluteness.
    Richard gave up the contest for the present, and went in silence from the
room. As he joined his mother and sister they suddenly ceased talking.
    »Don't cook anything for me,« he said, remaining near the door. »I'm going
out.«
    »But you must have something to eat,« protested his mother. »See« - she rose
hastily - »I'll get a chop done at once.«
    »I couldn't eat it if you did. I dare say you've got some cold meat. Leave
it out for me; I don't know what time I shall get back.«
    »You're very unkind, Dick,« here remarked Alice, who wore a mutinous look.
»Why couldn't you let us go to the theatre?«
    Her