Notwithstanding his poverty, he was glad to have them in the house, because of late years his wife had been getting very feeble, and, since the shock occasioned by the news of the death of her son, needed someone constantly with her.
Linden was still working at the vestibule doors when the manager came downstairs.

Misery stood watching him for some minutes without speaking.

At last he said loudly: 'How much longer are you going to be messing about those doors?
Why don't you get them under colour?
You were fooling about there when I was here this morning.

Do you think it'll pay to have you playing about there hour after hour with a bit of pumice stone?
Get the work done! Or if you don't want to, I'll very soon find someone else who does! I've been noticing your style of doing things for some time past and I want you to understand that you can't play the fool with me.
There's plenty of better men than you walking about.

If you can't do more than you've been doing lately you can clear out; we can do without you even when we're busy.' Old Jack trembled.