g his study, and working it up into an
effective and altogether charming painting.

The Broom-Squire held in the right hand the stick wherewith he had
thrashed old Clutch, and this he now transferred to the left,
whilst extending his right hand and forcing a smile on his leathery
face. The artist made a pretence of seeking out some place where
he could put down the articles encumbering his hands, but finding
none, he was unable to return the salutation.

"Let bygones be bygones," said Jonas, and he dropped his hand.
"Fine pictur' that, very like my wife. What, now, have you sold
that for?"

"It is not sold at all. I do not think I shall part with the
painting."

"Why not?" asked Jonas, with a malevolent twinkle in his eyes and
a flush on his cheek-bones.

"Because it is a good sample of my ability which I can show to
such as come as customers, and also because it reminds me of an
old friend."

"Then you may take my portrait," said Jonas, "and sell this. Mine
will do as well, and you knowed me afore you did Matabel."

"That is true," laughed Iver, "but I am not sure that you would
make so striking subject, so inspiring to the artist. Did you
come all the way from the Punch-Bowl to see the painting?"

"No, I didn't," answered Jonas.

"Then had you business in the town?"

"None particular."

"Was it to give me the pleasure of seeing you and asking after
old friends at Thursley?"

"Old friends," sneered Bideabout; "much the like o' you cares for
them as is old. It's the young and the bloomin' as is to your
fancy. And I reckon it ain't friends as you would ask about, but
a friend, and that's Matabel. Well, I don't mind tellin' of yer
that she's got a baby, but I s'pose you've heard that, and the
child ain't over strong and healthy, such as ort to be in the
Punch-Bowl, where we're all hard as nails."

"Aye, not in physique only?"

"I don't know nothin about physic. I didn't take it when I were
poorly, and nobody ever did in the Punch-Bowl as I've heard tell
on. I sent once to Gorlmyn (Godalming) for a sleepin' draught,
when I were bad wi' that shot in my shoulder as you knows of. But
I never took it, not I."

"So you've come to see me?"

"Oh, yes, I've come, civil and neighbor-like, to see you."

"What about? Will you sit down?"

"Thanky, I just about like to stand. Yes, I've come to see you--on
business."

"On business!"

"Yes, on business. You're trustee, I hear, for the child."

"To be sure