As soon as Peter told the young Norse sailor of John's offer for Margaret's hand, Ragon's passive good-will turned to active dislike and bitter jealousy.

For, though he had taken little trouble to please Margaret, he had come to look upon her as his future wife.

He knew that Peter wished it so, and he now imagined that it was also the only thing on earth he cared for.
Thus, though John was getting good wages, he was not happy.

It was rarely he got a word with Margaret, and Peter and Ragon were only too ready to speak.

It became daily more and more difficult to avoid an open quarrel with them, and, indeed, on several occasions sharp, cruel words, that hurt like wounds, had passed between them on the public streets and quays.
Thus Stromness, that used to be so pleasant to him, was changing fast.
He knew not how it was that people so readily believed him in the wrong.