"Ay, I fear it was so," replied William. "Poor Tyrrett's existence was divided into three phrases—working, drinking, quarrelling: dissatisfaction attending all. I fear a great many more in Honey Fair could say the same."
The men's consciences were pricking them; some of them began to stand uncomfortably on one leg. They tippled; they quarrelled; they had been known to administer personal correction to their wives on provocation.
"Times upon times I asked Tyrrett to come round of an evening to Robert East's," continued William. "He never did come. But I can tell you this, my men; had he taken to pass his evenings there twelve months ago, when the society—as they call it—was first formed, he might have been a hale man now, instead of lying there, dead."
"Do you mean that he'd have growed religious, sir?"
"I tell you we will put religion out of the discussion: as you don't seem to like the word. Had Tyrrett taken to like rational evenings, instead of public-houses, it would have made a wonderful difference in his mode of thought, and difference in conduct would have followed. Look at his father-in-law, Cross. He was living without hope or aim, at loggerheads with his wife and with the world, and rather given to wishing himself dead. All that's over. Do you think I should like to go about with a dirty face and holes in my coat?"
The men laughed. They thought not.
"Cross used to do so. But you see nothing of that now. Many others used to do so. Many do so still."
Rather conscience-stricken again, the men tried to hide their elbows. "It's true enough," said one. "Cross, and some more of 'em, are getting smart."
"Smart inside as well as out," said William. "They are acquiring self-respect; one of the best qualities a man can find. They wouldn't be seen in the street now in rags, or the worse for drink, or in any other degrading position; no, not if you bribed them with gold. Coming round to East's has done that for them. They are beginning to see that it's just as well to lead pleasant lives here, as unpleasant ones. In a short time, Cross will be getting furniture about him again, towards setting up the home he lost. He—and many more—will also, as I truly believe, be beginning to set up furniture of another sort."
"What sort's that, sir?"