The balance was against him, but Festing thought it might be wiped off, or at least pulled down, by economy and well-directed effort.

The trouble was that Charnock disliked economy, and of late had declined to make a fight.

Festing doubted if he could be roused, but meant to try.
"I see an error of a hundred dollars, but that doesn't make much difference.

Things look pretty bad, but I imagine they could be straightened out." "How long would it take you to put them straight ?" "Three years," said Festing, when he had made a rough calculation.

"That is, if I got moderately good crops, but I'd cut out drinks, the pool game, and some other extravagances.