It would certainly not bring him a hundred pounds; seventy-five perhaps.

But even that small sum would enable him to pay the quarter's rent, and then give him a short time, if only two or three weeks, of mental rest.

If such rest could not be obtained all was at an end with him.

He must either find some new means of supporting himself and his family, or--have done with life and its responsibilities altogether.
The latter alternative was often enough before him.

He seldom slept for more than two or three consecutive hours in the night, and the time of wakefulness was often terrible.