This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1913 edition. Excerpt: ... THE MASTER OF THE HOUSE The scene is triangular; only two walls of Mr. Ovens' parlour being visible. The left-hand wall is the longer. A window with a dark blind is near the spectator and further away is the fireplace. In the right-hand wall is the door, leading into a hall or passage. By the hearth, with its back to the spectator, is an arm-chair; it would be full in the light from the window if the blind were up and the sun were shining into the room. In the middle of the room is a big round table and three chairs. A sideboard is below the door; and a bureau, a sofa, and other chairs are in the room. The place is comfortable; the room of a hard-headed peasant come to town and fairly successful there; of a man who without any advantages of birth or assistance of friends has carved out his two or three hundred a year competence for his old age; by severe economy and lucky speculations in small things. It is an autumn evening. The fire is low, and the incandescent gas-burner by the hearth is lighted. Mr. Ovens is sitting in the arm-chair with his back to the spectator. His face is not visible, but one can see his whitish-grey hair and his bent back. Edie and Mrs. Ovens are sitting on opposite sides of the table, finishing a supper of bread and cheese and coffee. Mrs. Ovens is a hard, vigorous, capable woman of 35; Edie a rather pleasant girl of 23. Edie. Won't he have any supper? (Nodding ai Mr. Ovens.) Mrs. Ovens. He? (Jerking her head towards Mr. Ovens.) No; he had his bread and milk at six o'clock. I shan't give him any more before he goes to bed. Edie (glancing at clock). It's half-past eight now. Mrs. O. He doesn't eat much. Slops and things of that sort. I have to feed him like a baby; he makes such a mess of his clothes if I don't....