The rent of the shop and house was eighty-five pounds—­an increase upon that paid by Boxon.  “Plant” was estimated at a hundred and twenty-five; the stock at one hundred and fifty, and the goodwill at a round hundred.  This made a total of four hundred and sixty pounds, leaving Warburton some couple of hundred for all the expenses of his start.  The landlord had consented to do certain repairs, including a repainting of the shop, and this work had already begun.  Not a day must be lost.  Will knew that the first half-year would decide his fate as a tradesman.  Did he come out at the end of six months with sufficient profit to pay a bare three per cent. on the St. Neots money, all would be safe and well.  If the balance went against him, why then the whole battle of life was lost, and he might go hide his head in some corner even more obscure.

Of course he counted largely on the help of Allchin.  Allchin, though pig-headed and pugnacious, had a fair knowledge of the business, to which he had been bred, and of business matters in general always talked shrewdly.  Unable, whatever his own straits, to deal penuriously with my one, Will had thought out a liberal arrangement, whereby all the dwelling part of the house should be given over, rent free, to Allchin and his wife, with permission to take one lodger; the assistant to be paid a small salary, and a percentage on shop takings when they reached a certain sum per month.  This proposal, then, he set before the muscular man on his presenting himself this afternoon.  Allchin’s astonishment at the story he had heard from Mrs. Hopper was not less than that of the woman herself.  With difficulty persuaded to sit down, he showed a countenance in which the gloom he thought decorous struggled against jubilation on his own account:  and Warburton had not talked long before his listener’s features irresistibly expanded in a happy grin.

“How would something of this kind suit you?” asked Will.

“Me, sir?” Allchin slapped his leg.  “You ask how it suits me?”

His feelings were too much for him.  He grew very red, and could say no more.

“Then suppose we settle it so.  I’ve written out the terms of your engagement.  Read and sign.”

Allchin pretended to read the paper, but obviously paid no attention to it.  He seemed to be struggling with some mental obstacle.

“Something you want to alter?” asked Warburton.

“Why, sir, you’ve altogether forgot as I’m in your debt.  It stands to reason as you must take that money out before you begin to pay me anything.”

“Oh, we won’t say anything more about that trifle.  We’re making a new beginning.  But look here, Allchin, I don’t want you to quarrel with me, as you do with every one else—­”

“With you, sir?  Ho, ho!”

Allchin guffawed, and at once looked ashamed of himself.

“I quarrel,” he added, “with people as are insulting, or as try to best me.  It goes against my nature, sir, to be insulted and to be bested.”