‘Why, yis; I could do that much, I think.’ His tone and manner intimated vaguely how much more he could have done, and his disappointment at the facility of his task. ‘But,’ he added prudently, ‘it’s a job as ain’t s’ easy as you might fancy.’ Mrs. Busker laid a sovereign on the table. ‘Wilt do it for that?’ she asked. The wizard stole a look at her. She was obviously very much in earnest. ‘The hingredients,’ he said, ‘is hard to find, and harder to mix in doo perportions.’ ‘I must have it now, and at once,’ said Mrs. Busker. ‘That,’ said Rufus, ‘ain’t possible.’ Mrs. Jenny laid a second piece of gold beside the first ‘It’s a dangerous bisness, missus,’ he went on. ‘Theer’s noofangled laws about. ‘Twas only last wik as that young upstart, Doctor Hodges, comes an’ threatens me with persecution as a rogue an’ vagabond, a-obtainin’ money under false pertences for practisin’ my lawful an’ necessary art. Why, it ain’t so long since I cured his mother o’ the rheumatiz, as is more nor he can dew, wi’ all his drugs, an’ the pestle an’ mortar o’er his door.’ ‘You ought to know as you’re safe wi’ me, Rufus,’ said Mrs. Rusker. ‘Who should I tell? Why, I should tell o’ myself tew, at that raate; an’ is that likely?’ ‘It’s dangerous, missus,’ repeated the wizard. ‘Well, if yo’ won’t, I must try them as wull,’ said Mrs. Jenny, rising and taking up the coins. ‘I didn’t say as I wouldn’t,’ returned Rufus. ‘Theer’s no call to be so uppish But if I tek a chance like that I expect to be paid for it.’ ‘Two pound ud mek it wuth your while to do more than that.’ ‘I’ll dew it,’ said the wizard. ‘Give us the money?’ ‘Wheer’s the stuff?’ ‘Why, it ain’t made yet. D’you think as I can percure a precious hessence like that all of a minute?’ ‘Then mek it, an’ I’ll gie you the money.’ ‘Gi’ me a pound in advance, an’ I’ll bring it to you.’ And on that understanding the bargain was made, and the time fixed for the delivery of the potion. The intervening time was filled in by the astute wizard journeying to a neighbouring town and procuring from a chemist a sleeping draught, which he paid for out of Mrs. Busker’s sovereign. He turned up at Laburnum Cottage at the stipulated hour, handed over the draught (having previously washed off the chemist’s label), received his second sovereign, and departed.