The exactions of her lord and master kept Mrs. Gartley so busy that her family lived more than ever in the road, escaping passing motors by a miracle, and receiving chance meals from anybody who had fragments to spare--a practice rather sniffed at by some of the neighbours. "Not as I've any wish to see 'em go wantin'," remarked Mrs. Blundell, "but I think they're doin' better now than when their father had his health. Hungry? Why, yes--they'd always be ready to eat sweet stuff at any hour of day. That don't prove they be in need. As for Bob Gartley, he must be livin' like a fightin' cock with all they basins of broth and pots of jelly. He'll want to break his leg again when times is bad." Lying in his stuffy little bedroom, Mr. Gartley had leisure to consider his circumstances and air his views. He carefully compared the various viands that were sent him, with criticisms on the culinary skill of the donors. "Don't bring me no more broth!" he said to his wife one afternoon; "I'm sick of the very sight of it. Might as well be in hospital. Why can't you get me a scrap of liver and bacon?" "Doctor said we wasn't to give you that on no account," objected Mrs. Gartley. "I wish they had taken you to hospital while they was about it. If it had been I, I'd have jumped at goin'." "Shows how much you knows about it! Why, when I was in the infirmary they washed me all over every day! Yes, it's the truth I'm tellin' you! And they left windows open all day long, and wouldn't allow me a smoke, or even a chew of 'baccy. No more hospitals, says I! Take that broth away, can't you? Ain't there any jelly in the house?" "No, the pot's empty." "Then you've let those brats get at it!" "I ain't. You've had it all yourself." "Maybe they'll be sending some more from somewheres." "Like enough; but you won't get much more from Aireyholme." "Why not?" asked Mr. Gartley much aggrieved. "Because the young ladies is going away next week." "Oh, it's their holidays, is it?" "Aye; the school's always shut up in holiday time. Miss Aubrey and Mrs. Franklin goes away too." The news appeared to make Bob thoughtful, and he pondered over it for a few moments. "I suppose that young lady'll be takin' that little cupboard with her," he remarked at last. "What little cupboard?" "Why, you stupid, the one as she put in the picture with Granny Blundell and our Hugh. She'd bought it from Mrs. Stubbs." "Oh, I remember. Yes, if she's bought it and paid for it, of course she'll be takin' it with her." "It's hard for a poor man to be tied to his bed as helpless as a log!" groaned Bob. "Goodness knows what she'll do with it if she takes it away! Sell it again, maybe. Anyways, I shall be off the track of it." "What do you mean?" queried his wife. "I can't see as you've got aught to do with Miss Marsden's cupboard." "You never could see farther than your nose, Jane. Some of they young ladies has been very good to a poor man. I'd a-died if they hadn't found me in the wood."