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for principles in the intricacies of the worldstill less to make the thread clear for the careless and the scoffing. You must remember, if you please, that I stretch my tolerance towards you as my wifes brother, and that it little becomes you to complain of me as withholding material help towards the worldly position of your family. I must remind you that it is not your own prudence or judgment that has enabled you to keep your place in the trade. Very likely not; but you have been no loser by my trade yet, said Mr Vincy, thoroughly nettled (a result which was seldom much retarded by previous resolutions). And when you married Harriet, I dont see how you could expect that our families should not hang by the same nail. If youve changed your mind, and want my family to come down in the world, youd better say so. Ive never changed; Im a plain Churchman now, just as I used to be before doctrines came up. I take the world as I find it, in trade and everything else. Im contented to be no worse than my neighbors. But if you want us to come down in the world, say so. I shall know better what to do then. You talk unreasonably. Shall you come down in the world for want of this letter about your son? Well, whether or not, I consider it very unhandsome of you to refuse it. Such doings may be lined with religion, but outside they have a nasty, dog-in-the-manger look. You might as well slander Fred: it comes pretty near to it when you refuse to say you didnt set a slander going. Its this sort of thingthis tyrannical spirit, wanting to play bishop and banker everywhereits this sort of thing makes a mans name stink. Vincy, if you insist on quarrelling with me, it will be exceedingly painful to Harriet as well as myself, said Mr Bulstrode, with a trifle more eagerness and paleness than usual. I dont want to quarrel. Its for my interestand perhaps for yours toothat we should be friends. I bear you no grudge; I think no worse of you than I do of other people. A man who half starves himself, and goes the length in family prayers, and so on, that you do, believes in his religion whatever it may be: you could turn over your capital just as fast with cursing and swearing:plenty of fellows do. You like to be master, theres no denying that; you must be first chop in heaven, else you wont like it much. But youre my sisters husband, and we ought to stick together; and if I know Harriet, shell consider it your fault if we quarrel because you strain at a gnat in this way, and refuse to do Fred a good turn. And I dont mean to say I shall bear it well. I consider it unhandsome. Mr Vincy rose, began to button his great-coat, and looked steadily at his brother-in-law, meaning to imply a demand for a decisive answer. This was not the first time that Mr Bulstrode had begun by admonishing Mr Vincy, and had ended by seeing a very unsatisfactory reflection of himself in the coarse unflattering mirror which that manufacturers mind presented to the subtler lights and shadows of his fellow-men; and perhaps his experience ought to have warned him how the scene would end. But a full-fed fountain will be generous with its waters even in the rain, when they are worse than useless; and a fine fount of admonition is apt to be equally irrepressible. It was not in Mr Bulstrodes nature to comply directly in consequence of uncomfortable suggestions. Before changing his course, he always needed to shape his motives and bring them into accordance with his habitual standard. He said, at last I will reflect a little, Vincy. I will mention the subject to Harriet. I shall probably send you a letter. Very well. As soon as you can, please. I hope it will all be settled before I see you to-morrow. Chapter 14
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