“’Cause I knew you’d something you wanted to say,” he answered; “and there was naught partic’lar for him to do. He’ll be company for grannie.” “Knew _I_’d something to say?” The question was intended for a denial; but Jagger’s cheeks told another story. “And I guessed,” continued his father calmly; “’at it had something to do wi’ him. Out wi’t!” “You beat all!” said Jagger in a tone that showed how admiration had conquered discomfiture. “It’s as bad as having them X-rays you read about i’ t’ shop! A man may think what he isn’t prepared to speak, and I don’t know ’at I was going to say aught.” “When there’s any bile about, whether on t’ mind or t’ stomach,” said Maniwel dryly, “t’ best way is to get shut on’t. We shall none fall out if you speak your mind straight about Baldwin.” Now that the opportunity was afforded and his confidence invited it surprised Jagger to find how little there was to say, and how difficult it was to say that little. In the olden days he would probably have sought refuge in surly silence; but now he looked frankly into his father’s face and blurted out— “Home isn’t t’ same since Baldwin came into it. He’d choke t’ song out of a throstle with his sour looks! It isn’t ’at I grudge him bite and sup, and he’s welcome to try to pick up a living alongside of us, but I can’t bide a wet-blanket on our own hearthston’, and I know Hannah feels t’ same.” “I’m not capped, lad; I feel t’ same way myself, and if all for my-sen’ was my motto I’d pay some decent body a toathri shillings a week to take him in and do for him—” “If that was your motto,” interrupted Jagger, “you’d let him go to t’ Union.” “If you and Hannah says he musn’t stop,” continued Maniwel ignoring the correction; “course he’ll have to go, and we’ll talk it over among ourselves and see what’s best to be done. But I’ll take to’t ’at I could like to try a bit longer. He’s lost his nasty tongue, and his temper’s had most o’ t’ fizz ta’en out on’t, and mebbe after a bit t’ sun’ll get through t’ crust and he’ll be more likeable. Now if you and Hannah could just bring yourselves to think ’at he’s a millionaire uncle ’at’s asked himself to stay wi’ us for a bit....”—he looked slyly into his son’s face and saw the mouth twist into a smile—“and ’at it ’ud happen pay you to put up wi’ a bit o’ discomfort for t’ sake—” “That’ll do, father!” Jagger was laughing now. “I doubt if Hannah and me could manage as much as that. All we can expect Baldwin to leave us is his room, and that’ll be welcome. But we’ll say no more about it. If you feel t’ same way as us and are willing to put up with it Hannah and me’ll make t’ best of it.” “Nay, lad, we’ll go on a piece further, now we’ve getten started. You and me’s partners and should know each other’s minds; and I’ve something to tell you ’at I once thought to take wi’ me to t’ grave. You’ll tell nob’dy else while either Baldwin or me’s living and after we’re gone there’ll be no need to say aught. Sit you down, lad!”