"Why, my father was a tradesman, he was, and I was in your husband's
foundry earning a pound a week when Master Tom was in rags. Who
taught him I should like to know?"
"Jim, you must not talk like that; although, to tell you the truth,
Tom is no favourite of mine. Mr. Furze, however, relies on him."
"Relies on him, does he? Leastways, I know he does; just as if
scores of others couldn't do jist as well, only they 'aven't 'ad his
chance! Relies on him, as yer call it! But there, if I wur to
speak, wot 'ud be the use?"
It is always a consolation to incapable people that their lack of
success is due to the absence of chances. From the time of Korah,
Dathan, and Abiram--who accused Moses and Aaron of taking too much
upon themselves, because every man in the congregation was as holy
as his God-selected leaders--it has been a theory, one may even say
a religion, with those who have been passed over, that their sole
reason for their super-session is an election as arbitrary as that
by the Antinomian deity, who, out of pure wilfulness, gives
opportunities to some and denies them to others.
"What do you mean, Jim? What is it that you see?"
"You'll excuse me, missus, if I says no more. I ain't a-goin' to
meddle with wot don't concern me, and get myself into trouble for
nothing: wot for, I should like to know? Wot good would it do me?"
"But, Jim, if you are aware of anything wrong it is your duty to
report it.
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