"Long enough to get used to it," was the reply; "anyhow, grumbling won't mend it. It will have to go as it came."
Several times that night, the frightened children in their little bed awoke with a start at the sound of that deep hollow cough, and fancied that they heard the wolf at the door.
[CHAPTER V.]
THE OLD CLERK.
WHAT Matthew had feared, actually came to pass one morning not very long afterwards, when he had gone as usual to take back his papers.
"Reardon," said his employer, sharply.
"I am afraid you are getting careless. Your writing is not nearly so good as it used to be."
"I know it, sir. I can't help it."
"But you must help it," interrupted Mr. Heighington, "or I must find some one else to do the work. You can write well enough when you please."
"I'll try what I can do," said Matthew, "but my hand shakes sometimes."