forced his way with some difficulty through the
crowded kitchen, and entered a small apartment on the other side of it,
where they found Lilias Redgauntlet already seated. Here Nixon gave
way to his suppressed resentment, and turning sternly on Crackenthorp,
threatened him with his master's severest displeasure, because things
were in such bad order to receive his family, when he had given such
special advice that he desired to be private. But Father Crackenthorp
was not a man to be brow-beaten.

'Why, brother Nixon, thou art angry this morning,' he replied; 'hast
risen from thy wrong side, I think. You know, as well as I, that most of
this mob is of the squire's own making--gentlemen that come with their
servants, and so forth, to meet him in the way of business, as old Tom
Turnpenny says--the very last that came was sent down with Dick Gardener
from Fairladies.'

'But the blind scraping scoundrel yonder,' said Nixon, 'how dared you
take such a rascal as that across your threshold at such a time as this?
If the squire should dream you have a thought of peaching--I am only
speaking for your good, Father Crackenthorp.'

'Why, look ye, brother Nixon,' said Crackenthorp, turning his quid with
great composure, 'the squire is a very worthy gentleman, and I'll never
deny it; but I am neither his servant nor his tenant, and so he need
send me none of his orders till he hears I have put on his livery. As
for turning away folk from my door, I might as well plug up the ale-tap,
and pull down the sign--and as for peaching, and such like, the squire
will find the folk here are as honest to the full as those he brings
with him.'

'How, you impudent lump of tallow,' said Nixon, 'what do you mean by
that?'

'Nothing,' said Crackenthorp, 'but that I can tour out as well as
another--you understand me--keep good lights in my upper story--know a
thing or two more than most folk in this country. If folk will come to
my house on dangerous errands, egad they shall not find Joe Crackenthorp
a cat's-paw. I'll keep myself clear, you may depend on it, and let every
man answer for his own actions--that's my way. Anything wanted, Master
Nixon?'

'No--yes--begone!' said Nixon, who seemed embarrassed with the
landlord's contumacy, yet desirous to conceal the effect it produced on
him.

The door was no sooner closed on Crackenthorp, than Miss Redgauntlet,
addressing Nixon, commanded him to leave the room and go to his proper
place.

'How,