A brother of his, who was a builder's foreman, then found employment for him in general carpentry on some new houses; but John quarrelled with his brother, and after many difficulties fell to the making of packing-cases; that was his work at present, and with much discontent he pursued it.

John was curiously frank in owning all the faults in himself which had helped to make his career so unsatisfactory.

He confessed that he had an uncertain temper, that he soon became impatient with work 'which led to nothing,' that he was tempted out of his prudence by anything which seemed to offer 'a better start.' With all these admissions, he maintained that he did well to be angry.

It was wrong that life should be so hard; so much should not be required of a man.

In body he was not strong; the weariness of interminable days over-tried him and excited his mind to vain discontent.