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straightfor’ard way as by tricks and turns。 And； besides； I’ve not
much mind to work under him： I don’t want to quarrel with any
gentleman； more particular an old gentleman turned eighty； and I
know we couldn’t agree long。 If the captain was master o’ th’
estate； it ’ud be different： he’s got a conscience and a will to do
right； and I’d sooner work for him nor for any man living。”
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“Well； well； my boy； if good luck knocks at your door； don’t you
put your head out at window and tell it to be gone about its
business； that’s all。 You must learn to deal with odd and even in
life； as well as in figures。 I tell you now； as I told you ten years ago；
when you pommelled young Mike Holdsworth for wanting to pass
a bad shilling before you knew whether he was in jest or earnest—
you’re over…hasty and proud； and apt to set your teeth against
folks that don’t square to your notions。 It’s no harm for me to be a
bit fiery and stiff…backed—I’m an old schoolmaster； and shall
never want to get on to a higher perch。 But where’s the use of all
the time I’ve spent in teaching you writing and mapping and
mensuration； if you’re not to get for’ard in the world and show
folks there’s some advantage in having a head on your shoulders；
instead of a turnip？ Do you mean to go on turning up your nose at
every opportunity because it’s got a bit of a smell about it that
nobody finds out but yourself？ It’s as foolish as that notion o’
yours that a wife is to make a working…man comfortable。 Stuff and
nonsense！ Stuff and nonsense！ Leave that to fools that never got
beyond a sum in simple addition。 Simple addition enough！ Add
one fool to another fool； and in six years’ time six fools more—
they’re all of the same denomination； big and little’s nothing to do
with the sum！”
During this rather heated exhortation to coolness and
discretion the pipe had gone out； and Bartle gave the climax to his
speech by striking a light furiously； after which he puffed with
fierce resolution； fixing his eye still on Adam； who was trying not
to laugh。
“There’s a good deal o’ sense in what you say； Mr。 Massey；”
Adam began； as soon as he felt quite serious； “as there always is。
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But you’ll give in that it’s no business o’ mine to be building on
chances that may never happen。 What I’ve got to do is to work as
well as I can with the tools and mater’als I’ve got in my hands。 If a
good chance comes to me； I’ll think o’ what you’ve been saying；
but till then； I’ve got nothing to do but to trust to my own hands
and my own head…piece。 I’m turning over a little plan for Seth and
me to go into the cabinet…making a bit by ourselves； and win a
extra pound or two in that way。 But it’s getting late now—it’ll be
pretty near eleven before I’m at home； and Mother may happen to
lie awake； she’s more fidgety nor usual now。 So I’ll bid you good…
night。”
“Well； well； we’ll go to the gate with you—it’s a fine night；” said
Bartle； taking up his stick。 Vixen was at once on her legs； and
without further words the three walked out into the starlight； by
the side of Bartle’s potato…beds； to the little gate。
“Come to the music o’ Friday night； if you can； my boy；” said
the old man； as he closed the gate after Adam and leaned against
it。
“Aye； aye；” said Adam； striding along towards the streak of pale
road。 He was the only object moving on the wide common。 The
two grey donkeys； just visible in front of the gorse bushes； stood as
still as limestone images—as still as the grey…thatched roof of the
mud cottage a little farther on。 Bartle kept his eye on the moving
figure till it passed into the darkness； while Vixen； in a state of
divided affection； had twice run back to the house to bestow a
parenthetic lick on her puppies。
“Aye； aye；” muttered the schoolmaster； as Adam disappeared；
“there you go； stalking along—stalking along； but you wouldn’t
have been what you are if you hadn’t had a bit of old lame Bartle
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inside you。 The strongest calf must have something to suck at。
There’s plenty of these big； lumbering fellows ’ud never have
known their A B C； if it hadn’t been for Bartle Massey。 Well； well；
Vixen； you foolish wench； what is it； what is it？ I must go in； must
I？ Aye； aye； I’m never to have a will o’ my own any more。 And
those pups—what do you think I’m to do with ’em； when they’re
twice as big as you？ For I’m pretty sure the father was that
hulking bull…terrier of Will Baker’s—wasn’t he now； eh； you sly
hussy？” （Here Vixen tucked her tail between her legs and ran
forward into the house。 Subjects are sometimes broached which a
well…bred female will ignore。）
“But where’s the use of talking to a woman with babbies？”
continued Bartle。 “She’s got no conscience—no conscience； it’s all
run to milk。”
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Book Third
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Chapter XXII
Going to the Birthday Feast
he thirtieth of July was come； and it was one of those half…
dozen warm days which sometimes occur in the middle of
T
a rainy English summer。 No ra