'Thank you,' was all Nuttie's lips could utter, though her hand said much more. And before they reached London they had arranged something of a plan of action for propitiating Mr. Egremont, and bringing the future prospects to be available so as to save Annaple from being worked to death in the meantime. CHAPTER XXXIX. ANNAPLE'S AMBITION FALLEN. 'Well, how did you get on, Annaple?' 'Oh! very well, poor old man, on the whole, though it made one pity him doubly that he chose to make as if he forgot everything, and you were all gone on a picnic, taking me out for a long drive in the afternoon--where we were least likely to meet any one--that I will say for him.' 'Forgetting is not the best for him.' 'As if he could forget! But he was very nice and friendly, and put on his best, most courteous self. I think he looks on me rather as a protector from the solemn Mr. Edsall.' 'Surely Edsall treats him well. He was excellently recommended. You know I saw his master's daughter.' 'Oh! only _too_ well. He takes the management of him as if he were three years old, or a lunatic. He simply _will_ not be offended any more than if he had to do with a baby.' 'What should offend him?' 'That Mr. Egremont greatly resents being allowed nothing but by what Edsall calls medical sanction. He is too blind, you know, to venture to pour out anything for himself, and besides, Edsall has all the drugs under lock and key, and is coolness itself about any amount of objurgations, such as I fancy go on sometimes.' 'Do you think he will stand it?' 'Who? Your uncle? Yes, I think he will. This man really makes him more comfortable than poor Gregorio did.' 'Yes; Nuttie said she was sure that there was neglect, if not bullying latterly. But he must miss Gregorio terribly. They had been together for at least five-and-twenty or thirty years, and had plenty of gossip together.' 'Whereas the present paternal despotism and appalling dignity and gravity will keep him more dependent on his right congeners.' 'If they are of the right sort, that's all.' 'He has been making me read him a whole heap of letters; indeed, as you know, I have been doing that all along, when he could not get Nuttie. There were some from Mr. Bulfinch. Do you know that bailiff of his must be next door to a swindler?' 'Bulfinch is coming up to see him to-morrow.' 'And, Mark, do you know, he has been putting out feelers as if to discover whether we would do--what he asked us to do five years ago.' 'Would you?' 'If it were not for the children, and--and sometimes the extreme pinch, I should say it was more like _life_ to work yourself up as a City man,' said Annaple. 'If you were the Squire, with all his opportunities, it would be a different thing, but there's no outlet there, and I have often admired the wisdom of the Apocryphal saying, "Make not thyself an underling to a foolish man."'