“Now it’s clear to me,” said Mr. Bounderby, “that you are one of those chaps who have always got a grievance. And you go about, sowing it and raising crops. That’s the business of your life, my friend.”

Stephen shook his head, mutely protesting that indeed he had other business to do for his life.

“You are such a waspish, raspish, ill-conditioned chap, you see,” said Mr. Bounderby, “that even your own Union, the men who know you best, will have nothing to do with you. I never thought those fellows could be right in anything; but I tell you what! I so far go along with them for a novelty, that I ’ll have nothing to do with you either.”

Stephen raised his eyes quickly to his face.