"About a month afterwards, in returning from market, I encountered him and Moses Barraclough, both in an advanced stage of inebriation. They were praying in frantic sort at the roadside. They accosted me as Satan, bid me avaunt, and clamoured to be delivered from temptation. Again, but a few days ago, Michael took the trouble of appearing at the counting-house door, hatless, in his shirt-sleeves--his coat and castor having been detained at the public-house in pledge. He delivered himself of the comfortable message that he could wish Mr. Moore to set his house in order, as his soul was likely shortly to be required of him."
"Do you make light of these things?"
"The poor man had been drinking for weeks, and was in a state bordering on delirium tremens."
"What then? He is the more likely to attempt the fulfilment of his own prophecies."
"It would not do to permit incidents of this sort to affect one's nerves."

"About a month afterwards, in returning from market, I met him and Moses Barraclough, both drunk. They were praying at the roadside. They accosted me as Satan, and bid me flee. Then just a few days ago, Michael appeared at my counting-house door, in his shirt-sleeves. He delivered the comforting message that he wished Mr. Moore to set his house in order, as his soul was likely shortly to be required."
"Do you make light of these things?"
"The poor man had been drinking for weeks, and was in a state bordering on delirium tremens."
"Then he is the more likely to try to fulfil his own prophecies. 