eep.

"Owt 'at's right, Barjona; owt 'at's right, lad."

Reuben Goodenough's eldest son was passing at the time, with a heavy
fender over his shoulder. Hearing these words he stopped, and I
thought for a moment that he was going to bring it down on Barjona's
head, but with an angry gesture he moved on and deposited his burden on
the cart. Then he went up to the new owner and laid a heavy hand on
his shoulder. How I admired the strong, well-set man, and the man
within him.

"Mr. Higgins," he said, "you can see for yourself 'at Ted isn't fit for
business. If you've ought to say, say it to me. I'm actin' for 'im."

There had been no such arrangement, of course, but this provisional
government met with the approval of the crowd.

"That's right, Ben lad, you tak' both t' reins an' t' whip!" shouted
Sar'-Ann's mother; "I'm fain to see there's one man in t' village."

"Now, you look here, Mr. Higgins," continued Ben, thus encouraged,
"ought 'at it's right for Ted to pay shall be paid, but you send your
list an' bill in to me, an' if my father an' me passes it ye'll be
paid, an' if we don't ye won't; so you can put that in your pipe an'
smoke it."

"Keep cool, Ben, keep cool!" said Barjona, who himself was not in the
least ruffled; "only want what's right, you know ... only what's
right.... You or Ted, Ted or you ... all the same to me."

"I feel dead beat, lad," said Ted, who still seemed dazed; "I'll go
inside an' lie down a bit."

Ben motioned to me, and I stepped through the gate and joined them.

"Ted's tired," he said, "and wants to lie down. Would you mind taking
him across to Susannah's and askin' her to let 'im rest on t' sofa a
bit?" Then turning to the old man he said: "Go with this lady, Ted: go
with Miss Holden. We've nearly finished packing all your stuff on t'
cart, you know. But Susannah 'll get you a sup o' something warm, an'
you can lie down on her sofa, an' Miss Holden 'll talk to you a bit."
He spoke soothingly, as to a child, and the old man turned his eyes
upon me.

"Shoo's a stranger, Ben?"

"Nay, she's lived here a twelvemonth, Ted. Now come, you go with 'er.
She'll look after you nicely."

He suffered himself to be led away, but when we reached the group about
the gate he would go no farther, but suddenly found tongue, and began
to speak in a ruminating way, looking first at one and then another,
but keeping fast hold of my arm.

"Ye'll none o' ye mind my mother? No, no, y