"Yes, mum," said Jacky; and raising the pot, he began with trembling hands to direct erratic streams amongst the flowers, then shaking his head, stopping, and examining the spout as if that were in fault. "Stone got in it, I think," he muttered. "You've been drinking again, Jacky," exclaimed his mistress, shaking the scissors at him threateningly. "Drinking, mum! drinking!" This in a tone of injured surprise. "Yes, you stupid man. Do you think I don't know? I can smell you." "Drinking!" said Jacky, putting his hand to his head, as if to collect his thoughts. "Yes, so I did; I had a gill of ale last night." "Now, Jacky, I won't have it," exclaimed Mrs Glaire. "If you try to deceive me I won't keep you on." "What, and turn away a faithful servant as made this garden what it is, mum, and nursed Master Dick when he was a bit of a bairn no bigger than--" Jacky stooped down to try and show how many inches high Dick Glaire was when his nursing days were on; and as the gardener placed his hand horizontally, it seemed that about six inches must have been the stature of the child. But this was a dangerous experiment, and Jacky nearly overbalanced himself. A sharp question from his mistress, however, brought him upright, and somewhat sobered him. "Have you heard any more about that, Jacky?" "'Bout Master Richard, mum?" "Yes, Jacky. But mind this, I hate talebearing and the gossip of the place." "You do, mum; you allus did," said Jacky, winking solemnly to himself; "but that's a fact." "I won't believe it, Jacky," said Mrs Glaire, snipping off sound leaves and blossoms in her agitation. "It's a fact, mum, and I don't wonder at your feeling popped." "I'm not cross at all, Jacky," exclaimed Mrs Glaire, with her face working, "for I don't believe my son would stoop in that way." "But it's a fack, mum; and you must send him away, or he'll be taking a wife from among the Midianitish women. That's so." "Now, I don't want to hear gossip, man; but what have you heard? There, do stand still or you'll tread on Prince." "Heard, mum? Lots. You should say, `What have you seen?'" "Seen! Have you seen anything?" Jacky put his thumb very far into his arm-hole, and spread his fingers very wide, as he rolled his head solemnly. "You won't tell Master Richard as you heard of it from me, mum?" "No, Jacky, no; certainly not." "And get me kicked out without a moment's notice?" "No, no, certainly not. Now tell me directly." "Well, mum, Missus Hubley says as she knows he's always arter her." "What, Daisy Banks?" Jacky nodded. "But she's a mischief-making, gossiping old woman!" exclaimed Mrs Glaire; "and her word isn't worth anything. You said you had seen something." Jacky nodded, and screwed up his face as he laid his finger beside his nose. "If you don't speak directly, man, I shall do you a mischief," exclaimed the little woman, excitedly. "Tell me all you know this instant."