The villagers, however, sent a deputation as soon as they heard of the Squire's arrival, asking him to come down to Atheling Green, and tell them something about Reform. And he was pleased at the request, and went down, and found they had made a temporary platform out of two horse-blocks for him; and there he stood, his fine, imposing, sturdy figure thrown clearly into relief by the sunny spring atmosphere. And it was good to listen to his strong, sympathetic voice, for it had the ring of truth in all its inflections, as he said,-- "Men! Englishmen! Citizens of no mean country! you have asked me to explain to you what this Reform business means. You know well I will tell you no lies. It will give lots of working-men votes that never hoped for a vote; and so it is like enough working-men will be able to send to Parliament members who will fight for their interests. Maybe that is in your favour. It will open all our ports to foreign wheat and corn. You will get American wheat, and Russian wheat, and French wheat--" "We won't eat French wheat," said Adam Sedbergh. "And then, wheat will be so cheap that it will not pay English land-owners to sow it. Will that help you any?" "We would rather grow our own wheat." "To be sure. Reform will, happen, give you shorter hours of work." "That would be good, Master," said the blacksmith. "It will depend on what you do with the extra hours of leisure." "We can play skittles, and cricket, and have a bit of wrestling." "Or sit in the public house, and drink more beer. I don't think your wives will like that. Besides, if you work less time won't you get less wage? Do you think I am going to pay for twelve hours' work and get ten? Would you? Will the mill-owners run factories for the fun of running them? Would you? And they say they hardly pay with twelve hours' work. Men, I tell you truly, I know no more than the babe unborn what Reform will bring us. It may be better times; it may be ruin. But I can say one thing, sure and certain, you will get more trouble than you bargain for if you take to rioting about it. Your grandfathers and your fathers fought this question; and they left it to you to quarrel over. Very well, as long as you keep your quarrel in the Parliament Houses, I want you to have fair play. But if ever you should forget that there is the great Common Law behind all of us, rich and poor, and think to right yourselves with fire and blood, then I--your true friend--would be the first to answer you with cannon, and turn my scythes and shares into swords against you. Wait patiently a bit longer. In a few more weeks I do verily believe you will have Reform, and then I hope, in my soul, you will be pleased with your bargain. I don't think, as far as I am concerned, Reform will change me or my ways one particle." "We don't want you changed, Squire; you are good enough as you are."