JACKMAN. [Heavily] They talk about his havin' bought the Centry to gut up more chimneys there, and that's why he wants the cottages. HINT. The Centry! Impossible! [Mrs. J. Yes, air; it's such a pretty spot-looks beautiful from here. [She looks out through the window] Loveliest spot in all Deepwater, I always say. And your father owned it, and his father before 'im. It's a pity they ever sold it, sir, beggin' your pardon.] HILLCRIST. The Centry! [He rings the bell.] Mrs. J. [Who has brightened up] I'm glad you're goin' to stop it, sir. It does put us about. We don't know where to go. I said to Mr. Hornblower, I said, "I'm sure Mr. Hillcrist would never 'eve turned us out." An' 'e said: "Mr. Hillcrist be----" beggin' your pardon, sir. "Make no mistake," 'e said, "you must go, missis." He don't even know our name; an' to come it like this over us! He's a dreadful new man, I think, with his overridin notions. And sich a heavyfooted man, to look at. [With a sort of indulgent contempt] But he's from the North, they say. [FELLOWS has entered, Left.] HILLCRIST. Ask Mrs. Hillcrist if she'll come. FELLOWS. Very good, sir. HILLCRIST. Is Dawker here? FELLOWS. Not yet, sir. HILLCRIST. I want to see him at once. [FELLOWS retires.] JACKMAN. Mr. Hornblower said he was comin' on to see you, sir. So we thought we'd step along first. HILLCRIST. Quite right, Jackman. MRS. J. I said to Jackman: "Mr. Hillcrist'll stand up for us, I know. He's a gentleman," I said. "This man," I said, "don't care for the neighbourhood, or the people; he don't care for anything so long as he makes his money, and has his importance. You can't expect it, I suppose," I said; [Bitterly] "havin' got rich so sudden." The gentry don't do things like that. HILLCRIST. [Abstracted] Quite, Mrs. Jackman, quite! [To himself] The Centry! No! [MRS. HILLCRIST enters. A well-dressed woman, with a firm, clear-cut face.] Oh! Amy! Mr. and Mrs. Jackman turned out of their cottage, and Mrs. Harvey, and the Drews. When I sold to Hornblower, I stipulated that they shouldn't be. MRS. J. Our week's up on Saturday, ma'am, and I'm sure I don't know where we shall turn, because of course Jackman must be near his work, and I shall lose me washin' if we have to go far. HILLCRIST. [With decision] You leave it to me, Mrs. Jackman. Good morning! Morning, Jackman! Sorry I can't move with this gout. MRS. J. [For them both] I'm sure we're very sorry, sir. Good morning, sir. Good morning, ma'am; and thank you kindly. [They go out.] HILLCRIST. Turning people out that have been there thirty years. I won't have it. It's a breach of faith. MRS. H. Do you suppose this Hornblower will care two straws about that Jack? HILLCRIST. He must, when it's put to him, if he's got any decent feeling. MRS. H. He hasn't.