No--if the worst came to the worst, he would slip back to Wesley, where he was always welcome and take up the practice of the law, which he had abandoned since his father's death, and thus earn money enough not to be a burden to Peggy.
In the meantime something might turn up.

Perhaps another of Gadgem's thumb-screws could be fastened on some delinquent and thus extort a drop or two; or the bank might begin paying ten per cent.; or another prepayment might be squeezed out of a ground rent.

If none of these things turned out to his advantage, then Gadgem and Pawson must continue their search for customers who would have the rare opportunity of purchasing, direct "from the private collection of a gentleman," etc., etc., "one first-class English saddle," etc., etc.
"The meantime," however, brought no relief.

Indeed so acute had the financial strain become that another and a greater sacrifice--one that fairly cut his heart in two--faced him--the parting with his dogs.

That four mouths besides his own and Todd's were too many to feed had of late become painfully evident.