Rankin turned a serene glance upon Eddy. “Ye see,” he said, “what I tellt ye. What kind of a person would use a word like that? My dogues, sir,” he added, “are all bespoke. I have certain ladies and gentlemen, great friends of mine, that get a’ I can spare. Ye hear naething squeaking here, but just a few remarks made atween themselves by a sma’ family, that are of as good blood and race as any here.” “Oh, come my man,” said Johnson, “I’m not a softy to be cheated out of my money like that. I’ll give a fair price, but you needn’t think to take me in, with your ladies and gentlemen. I know what a dog is worth.” “Hold hard, Johnson,” said Eddy. “It’s a monopoly, don’t you know, and Rankin can do what he likes. He knows a lot, I can tell you. He knows you’re in South Wales or somewhere and not here--” “I?” cried Johnson again. “I never was in Wales in my life.” “I tellt ye sae, sir,” said Rankin significantly; “and that being proved, I hope you will mind the rest of my advice.” “What is he saying, Master Eddy? What has he been advising you? Something about me? I’ll trouble you, my man, to keep your advice where you keep your dogs, and not to interfere with me.” “I am no man o’ yours,” said Rankin, “any more than you are a man o’ mine. I advise my friends for their good just when I please. Ye are in my poor bit dwelling, and that gives ye a privilege: but I must do my duty by a young gentleman that is a veesitor at the Hoose, and therefore more or less under what I may call my protection when he comes to see me.” “You are no match for him, Johnson,” said Eddy laughing. “You needn’t try. Come along, old fellow. I’ll show you that business I told you of. Don’t be afraid, Rankin. Whatever I do that’s wrong it will be my own fault and not his. I’m young, but I know a thing or two for all that.” “Mair than you should--mair than you should!” cried the gamekeeper; “but come soon again and see me, sir; there’s a hantle mair advice I would like to give ye. Janet,” said Rankin solemnly to his wife as the door was closed, “if there’s any devilry comes to your ears, mind you it’s that man.” “Hoots, John,” said Mrs. Rankin, who had come “ben” with her glistening arms wrapped in her apron, from the midst of her washing, at the sound of the opening door: it was almost all that good woman ever said. In about half an hour from this time Eddy Saumarez reached Rosmore, and made his way to his room in much haste. He was drenched with the rain which for some time had been coming down small and soft, but persistent, after the fashion of the west country, and only waved his hand to the party collected over the great fire in the hall, where the decorations were already being put up. “I am so wet, I must change before I can be of any use,” he said, as he passed: but before he succeeded in gaining the shelter of his room, his sister came out upon him from hers, where she seemed to have been keeping watch. She put her hand upon his wet sleeve and detained him.