The men who had not hitherto spoken looked at each other uncertainly, their glances finally resting on the beaming countenance of Sam Belbin. After all, had he not chosen the better part? ‘I do agree with he,’ said one under his breath, and then another. By-and-by all remarked aloud, somewhat falteringly, that they just thought they would mention their wish to give more satisfaction in the future. Job and his followers scowled at these renegades, but their mistress rewarded them with a gracious smile. ‘Very well said,’ she remarked. ‘That’s the proper spirit. Do your duty by me, and you will find me ready to do mine by you.’ The day was hers, as she felt when she returned in triumph to her dinner. Isaac Sharpe happened to be strolling through the village that evening, when he was accosted by Mrs. Belbin, who was standing, as was her custom at this hour, arms a-kimbo, on her doorstep. ‘There be a great upset up at Fiander’s, bain’t there, sir?’ Isaac brought his slow, ruminative gaze to bear on her. ‘Why, what upset do ye mean, Mrs. Belbin? Things be like to be upset now that the master’s gone to the New House. But I hope as your son an’ the rest of ’em be giving the widow so little trouble as ever they can.’ ‘I dunno about that, sir. My Sam he do tell I as there was a regular blow-up this mornin’. I d’ ’low as my son _he_ did behave so well as ever he could. Says he to Mrs. Fiander, “Mum,” he says, “I have n’t no fault to find wi’ you at all; and I’ll do my _h_endeavours to gi’e ye satisfaction.” That were what _he_ did say—my son Sam did; but there was others as, accordin’ to all accounts, went on most scandalious.’ Here Mrs. Belbin rolled up her eyes and wagged her head significantly. ‘Ah,’ put in Mrs. Paddock, hastening to cross the road and join in the conversation, ‘it did give me sich a turn when I heard on it, that I did sit down on the table. ’T were a good job as I did, else I should ha’ fell down. Sich doin’s! The whole lot of ’em—aye, every single one as works for her—marchin’ up to give her notice! ’T was enough to frighten a pore lone woman out of her wits.’ ‘I have n’t heard a word of this,’ cried Isaac emphatically. ‘The men gave her notice, d’ ye say?’ ‘All except my Sam,’ put in Mrs. Belbin proudly. ‘’Ees, they all did go up in a lump, so to speak, and noticed her, one arter the other, till it come to my Sam’s turn, an’ then he up an’ says, “Mrs. Fiander, mum,” says he, “I have n’t got no fault to find wi’ ye;” and a few more, when they heard that, heartened theirselves up and follered his example.’ ‘’T was very well done o’ your Sam,’ said Mrs. Paddock in a complimentary tone; ‘but as for them others—why, they do say as Abel Hunt were a-dancin’ an’ a-swearin’ like a madman. “I want no orderin’ from danged women-folk,” says he, just so bold as if the missus was his wife. And Job, he did shout at her so rough, and speak so impident! ’T was really shockin’!’