Many's the time I've said to myself it would be better for me
to starve out on the bog beyond than to have the life plagued out of me
listening to the way he does be talking."
"I expect," said Meldon, "that he's simply trying to make you do your
work, and a hard job he has of it."
"Any way, it's what I'm not accustomed to; and what's more, won't
stand."
"You'll have to stand it for a while more, any way. That's what I want
to impress on your mind. I can't have a word said against Mr.
Simpkins, in the presence of Miss King."
"The young lady there?"
"Yes, that exact young lady. She's a stranger in these parts, and
you're more or less responsible for the opinions she forms of the
people she comes across. It's to you she'll be looking for guidance
when she's in a difficulty and wants information about any one."
"She will, of course. Why wouldn't she? Amn't I old enough to be her
father and the father of a dozen more like her?"
"Exactly," said Meldon. "So when she consults you about Mr. Simpkins
you'll say all the good you can of him, and you'll praise him up to the
servants in the house in such a way that they'll repeat what you've
said to her.
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