He invited the aggrieved husband inside, going off himself alone, to return in half an hour with the news that the road was now clear. About a month later in the main road he was hailed from over the way. The old labourer came hobbling towards him. "Ah, Mr. Crooks, I don't know what yer said to my ole woman that night, but she's bin a perfect angel since." What Crooks had said was simple enough. On reaching the court he found the good wife gossiping. "Here's Mr. Crooks!" cried the little company of women as he approached. He spoke no word, but with a mysterious air beckoned the aggressive wife aside. "Heard the news about your old man?" he asked with a long face. Assuming the worst, she immediately began to weep into her apron. "It's my fault, Mr. Crooks," she whimpered. "He often threatened to drown hisself, but I never thought he'd go and do it!" And then again, amid broken sobs:--"I've al'ays bin a good wife to him, Mr. Crooks." "Yes, I know you have; and he knows it, too. He's often told me what a splendid wife you are. But you shouldn't cheek him so. You take my advice and coax him a little; coax him, and then you'll find you can do what you like with him afterwards. Why, bless you, if it hadn't been for some of us he might have drowned himself to-night. Now you just give him a good supper, like a sensible woman, when we send him home, and begin coaxing him from this very night. And, mind, not a word about this to anyone, for fear you excite him again." When again he met the old labourer it was evident the good relations were growing. "Give her a treat last Saturday afternoon, Mr. Crooks--a fair knock-out. Took her for a 'bus ride to Ludgit Circis, and showed her the Thames Embankmint. Never seen anyfink so fine in all her life. Nearly made her faint. When she got home she dropped into a chair and said, 'I feel I could die now, Charlie, after that.'" "And you?" "I said, 'If you talk like that I'll go for Mr. Crooks again.' That fetched her round, 'pon me honour." The good people of Poplar expect Crooks to meet all their needs. It was not very inspiring to be knocked up in the middle of the night and find a carman groaning at the door. "Oh, Will, I'm that bad with the spasms!" "Why don't you go to the doctor?" "I've bin to him and he ain't done me no good. I thought as how if you'd come along with me he'd be sure to give me the right stuff." Later in the same week the man's wife arrived breathless in the early morning. "Would Mr. Crooks come at once?" "What's happened now?" "Dick took a drop too much at the 'Ship' last night, and when he come in, me having gone to bed, he mistook the paraffin oil bottle for his medicine. Two whole spoonfuls he took, Mr. Crooks, and we've only found it out this morning. He says he must see you now afore he dies." Curious ideas are held as to what Crooks's duties are. One irate citizen declared to his mates that he was done with Will Crooks for ever. He was appealed to for the reason.