"Yes, 'Ume. Mr. Bannister wanted a 'orse. 'What's your figger, sir?' says I. He took no notice, but began looking at me with 'is eyes wide open, for all the world as if I'd never spoke. Then he says, 'I want a 'orse, broad-backed and fallen in the vale o' years.' Them was 'is very words." "You don't say?" said the girl. "I never knowed what he meant, no more than that pint-pot; but Mr. 'Ume laughed and says, 'Don't be a fool, Dale,' and told me that Mr. Bannister couldn't ride no more than a tailor--so he said--and wanted a steady, quiet 'orse. He got one from me--four-and-twenty years old, warranted not to gallop. I see 'im on her to day--and it's lucky she is quiet." "Can't he ride?" "No more than"--a fresh simile failed Mr. Maggs, and he concluded again--"that pint-pot. But Mr. 'Ume can. 'E's a nice set on a 'orse." The Mayor had been meditating. He was a little jealous of Mr. Maggs' superior intimacy with the distinguished stranger, or perhaps it was merely that he was suddenly struck with a sense of remissness in his official duties. "I think," he announced, "of callin' on him and welcomin' him to the town." There was a chorus of approbation, broken only by a sneer from Alderman Johnstone. "Ay, and take 'im a bottle of that cod-liver oil of yours at two-and-three. 'E can afford it." "Not after payin' your bill, Johnstone," retorted the Mayor, with a triumphant smile. A neat repartee maketh glad the heart of the utterer. The establishment at Littlehill and the proper course to be pursued in regard to it were also the subject of consideration in circles more genteel even than that which gathered at the "Delane Arms." At Dirkham Grange itself the topic was discussed, and Mr. Delane was torn with doubts whether his duty as landlord called upon him to make Dale Bannister's acquaintance, or his duty as custodian-general of the laws and proprieties of life in his corner of the world forbade any sanction being given to a household of which such reports were on the wing. People looked to the Squire, as he was commonly called, for guidance in social matters, and he was aware of the responsibility under which he lay. If he called at Littlehill, half the county would be likely enough to follow his example. And perhaps it might not be good for half the county to know Dale Bannister. "I must consider the matter," he said at breakfast. "Well, one does hear strange things," remarked Mrs. Delane. "And aren't his poems very odd, George?" The Squire had not accorded to the works referred to a very close study, but he answered offhand: "Yes, I hear so; not at all sound in tone. But then, my dear, poets have a standard of their own." "Of course, there was Byron," said Mrs. Delane. "And perhaps we mustn't be too hard on him," pursued the Squire. "He's a very young man, and no doubt has considerable ability." "I dare say he has never met anybody."