"Thoroughly bad and dangerous, and worse since he has taken to drinking."
"I suppose he did not take to drinking till he lost his wits for
Jessie Wiles?"
"No, I don't think he did."
"But, Mr. Lethbridge, have you never used your influence over this dangerous man?"
"Of course, I did try, but I only got insulted. He is a godless animal, and has not been inside a church for years. He seems to have got a smattering of such vile learning as may be found in infidel publications, and I doubt if he has any religion at all."
"Poor Polyphemus! no wonder his Galatea shuns him."
"Old Wiles is terribly frightened, and asked my wife to find Jessie a place as servant at a distance. But Jessie can't bear the thoughts of leaving."
"For the same reason which attaches Will Somers to the native soil?"
"My wife thinks so."
"Do you believe that if Tom Bowles were out of the way, and Jessie and Will were man and wife, they could earn a sufficient livelihood as successors to Mrs. Bawtrey, Will adding the profits of his basket-work to those of the shop and land?"