ointed to the pier, at the end of it which
joined the river-bank. "Pray accept my excuses; I can't answer for my
temper if that wretch comes near me." With this apology he hurried away;
and sly Giles Toller, having patiently waited until the coast was clear,
accosted me with his best bow, and said: "Beautiful weather, isn't it,
sir?"

I had no remarks to make on the weather; but I was interested in
discovering what had happened at the cottage.

"You have mortally offended the gentleman who has just left me," I said.
"What have you done?"

Mr. Toller had purposes of his own to serve, and kept those purposes (as
usual) exclusively in view: _he_ presented deaf ears to me now!

"I don't think I ever remember such wonderful weather, sir, in my time;
and I'm an old fellow, as I needn't tell you. Being at the mill just now,
I saw you in the boat-house, and came to pay my respects. Would you be so
good as to look at this slip of paper, Mr. Gerard? If you will kindly ask
what it is, you will in a manner help me."

I knew but too well what it was. "The repairs again!" I said resignedly.
"Hand it over, you obstinate old man."

Mr. Toller was so tickled by my discovery, and by the cheering prospect
consequent on seeing his list of repairs safe in my pocket, that he
laughed until I really thought he would shake his lean little body to
pieces. By way of bringing his merriment to an end, I assumed a look of
severity, and insisted on knowing how he had offended the Lodger. My
venerable tenant, trembling for his repairs, drifted into a question of
personal experience, and seemed to anticipate that it might improve my
temper.

"When you have a woman about the house, Mr. Gerard, you may have noticed
that she's an everlasting expense to you--especially when she's a young
one. Isn't that so?"

I inquired if he applied this remark to his daughter.

"That's it, sir; I'm talking of Cristy. When her back's up, there isn't
her equal in England for strong language. My gentleman has misbehaved
himself in some way (since you were with us this morning, sir); how, I
don't quite understand. All I can tell you is, I've given him notice to
quit. A clear loss of money to me every week, and Cristy's responsible
for it. Yes, sir! I've been worked up to it by my girl. If Cristy's
mother had asked me to get rid of a paying lodger, I should have told her
to go to---- we won't say where, sir; you'll know where when you're
married yourself. The upsho