’Good if he keeps it.  But I can’t talk to him; I’m sick of doing so.  And I don’t think he even listens to me.’  He hesitated.  ’Do you think you—­would you mind speaking to him?  I believe you might do him good.’

Adela did not at once reply.

‘I know it’s a nasty job,’ he pursued.  ’I wouldn’t ask you if I didn’t really think you might do some good.  I don’t see why he should go to the dogs.  He used to be a good enough fellow when he was a little lad.’

It was one of the most humane speeches Adela had ever heard from her husband.  She replied with cheerfulness: 

’If you really think he won’t take it amiss, I shall be very glad to do my best.’

‘That’s right; thank you.’

Adela went down and was alone with ’Arry for half-an-hour.  She was young to undertake such an office, but suffering had endowed her with gravity and understanding beyond her years, and her native sweetness was such that she could altogether forget herself in pleading with another for a good end.  No human being, however perverse, could have taken ill the words that were dictated by so pure a mind, and uttered in so musical and gentle a voice.  She led ’Arry to speak frankly.

‘It seems to me a precious hard thing,’ he said, ’that they’ve let Dick keep enough money to live on comfortable, and won’t give me a penny.  My right was as good as his.’

‘Perhaps it was,’ Adela replied kindly.  ’But you must remember that money was left to your brother by the will.’

’But you don’t go telling me that he lives on two pounds a week?  Everybody knows he doesn’t.  Where does the rest come from?’

’I don’t think I must talk about that.  I think very likely jour brother will explain if you ask him seriously.  But is it really such a hard thing after all, Harry?  I feel so sure that you will only know real happiness when you are earning a livelihood by steady and honourable work.  You remember how I used to go and see the people in New Wanley?  I shall never forget how happy the best of them were, those who worked their hardest all day and at night came home to rest with their families and friends.  And you yourself, how contented you used to be when your time was thoroughly occupied!  But I’m sure you feel the truth of this.  You have been disappointed; it has made you a little careless.  Now work hard for a year and then come and tell me if I wasn’t right about that being the way to happiness.  Will you?’

She rose and held her hand to him; the hand to which he should have knelt.  But he said nothing; there was an obstacle in his throat.  Adela understood his silence and left him.

Richard went to work among his friends, and in a fortnight had found his brother employment of a new kind.  It was a place in an ironmonger’s shop in Hoxton; ’Arry was to serve at the counter and learn the business.  For three months he was on trial and would receive no salary.