“Why, he’s _Mr_ Ross, ain’t he? that’s Eton for honourable,” said one of the men. “_He_ ain’t Mr Ross,” said an older and better-informed person, with some contempt. The older attendants at the rafts were walking peerages, and knew everybody’s pedigree. “His father was Mister Ross, if you please. He used to be at college in my time; a nice light-haired sort of a lad, not good for much, but with heaps of friends. Not half the pluck of this one; this one’s as dark as you, missis, a kind of a foreign-looking blade, and as wilful as the old gentleman himself. But I like that sort better than the quiet ones; the quiet ones does just as much mischief on the sly.” “They’re a rare lot, them lads are,” said the other--“shouting at a man like’s he was the dust under their feet. Ain’t we their fellow-creatures all the same? It ain’t much you makes at the rafts, missis, even if you gains a lot in the season. For after all, look how short the season is--you may say just the summer half. It’s too cold in March, and it’s too cold in October--nothing to speak of but the summer half. You makes a good deal while it lasts, I don’t say nothing to the contrary--but what’s that to good steady work all round the year?” “Maybe her lad isn’t one for steady work,” said another. “It _is_ work, I can tell you is this, as long as it lasts; from early morning to lock-up, never a moment to draw your breath, except school-hours; and holidays, and half-holidays without end. Then there’s the regular boating gents as come and go, not constant like the Eton gentlemen. They give a deal of trouble--they do; and as particular with their boats as if they were babies. I tell you what, missis, if you want him to have an easy place, I wouldn’t send him here.” “He’s not one that’s afraid of work,” said the woman, “and it’s what he’s set his heart on. I wonder if you could tell me where this Mr Ross comes from?--if he’s west-country now, down Devonshire way?” “Bless you, no!” said the old man, who was great in genealogies; “he’s from the north, he is--Scotland or thereabouts. His grandfather came with him when he first came to college--Lord something or other. About as like a lord as I am. But the nobility ain’t much to look at,” added this functionary, with whom familiarity had bred contempt. “They’re a poor lot them Scotch and Irish lords. Give me a good railway man, or that sort; they’re the ones for spending their money. Lord--I cannot think on the old un’s name.” “Was it--Eskside?” “You’re a nice sort of body to know about the haristocracy,” said the man; “in course it was Eskside. Now, missis, if you knowed, what was the good of coming asking me, taking a fellow in?” “I didn’t know,” said the woman, humbly; “I only wanted to know. In my young days, long ago, I knew--a family of that name.” “Ay, ay, in your young days! You were a handsome lass then, I’ll be bound,” said the old man, with a grin.