Besides these, there was a lawyer's letter, stating that certain dealers had instructed him to recover payment of the debts Charnock owed.

He crushed the letter in his clenched hand and the veins stood out on his forehead, while his face got red.

The blow he feared had fallen and he was ruined; but when the shock began to pass he felt a faint relief.

It was something to be free from doubt and anxiety, and there were consolations.

Now he was beaten, the line he must take was plain, and it had some advantages.
"You can quit plowing and put the teams in the stable," he said to the hired man.
"Quit now!" exclaimed the other.