"Yes. Stop there," said Uncle Luke sourly, as he saw a chance of making a few pence, and wondered whether he would get enough from his customer. "Mind my sitting down inside, Master Luke Vine, sir? It's hot, and I'm tired; and it's a long way up here." "Why do you come, then?" "Wanted to say a few words to you about my gal when we've done our bit o' trade." "Come in and sit down, then," said the old man gruffly. And his visitor slipped the leather band from her forehead, set her basket on the granite wall, and went into the kitchen-like room, wiping her brow as she seated herself in the old rush-bottomed chair. "I'll fetch it here," said Uncle Luke, and he went round to the back, to return directly with the second half of the conger. "There," said the old man eagerly, "how much for that?" "Oh, I can't buy half a conger, Mr Luke Vine, sir; and I don't know as I'd have took it if it had been whole." "Then be off, and don't come bothering me," grunted the old man snappishly. "Don't be cross, master; you've no call to be. You never have no gashly troubles to worry you." "No, nor don't mean to have. What's the matter now?" "My gal!" "Serve you right. No business to have married. You never saw me make such a fool of myself." "No, master, never; but when you've got gals you must do your best for 'em." "Humph! what's the matter?" Poll Perrow looked slowly round the ill-furnished, untidy place. "You want a woman here, Master Luke Vine, sir," she said at last. "Don't talk nonsense!" "It aren't nonsense, Master Luke Vine, and you know it. You want your bed made proper, and your washing done, and your place scrubbed. Now why don't you let my gal come up every morning to do these things?" "Look here," said Uncle Luke, "what is it you mean?" "She's got into a scrape at Mr Vine's, sir--something about some money being missing--and I suppose she'll have to come home, so I want to get her something to do." "Oh, she isn't honest enough for my brother's house, but she's honest enough for mine." "Oh, the gal's honest enough. It's all a mistake. But I can't afford to keep her at home, so, seeing as we'd had dealings together, I thought you'd oblige me and take her here." "Seeing as we'd had dealings together!" grumbled Uncle Luke. "Everything is so untidy-like, sir," said the old fish-dealer, looking round. "Down at your brother's there's everything a gentleman could wish for, but as to your place--why, there: it's worse than mine." "Look here, Poll Perrow," said the old eccentricity fiercely, "this is my place, and I do in it just as I like. I don't want your girl to come and tidy my place, and I don't want you to come and bother me, so be off. There's a letter; take it down and post it for me: and there's a penny for your trouble." "Thank ye, master. Penny saved is a penny got; but Mr George Vine would have given me sixpence--I'm not sure he wouldn't have given me a shilling. Miss Louise would."