"He's got the rheumatics," said Mrs. Hacker. "They have fastened cruel in his shoulder-blades, and he've started on his pony and gone off to see the doctor. Won't have none of my cautcheries, though I know what's good for rheumatics well enough, and I've cured three cases to common knowledge that neither doctor nor that Eliza Gollop could budge, do as they would." Rupert expressed concern, and went out to meet his uncle, while Milly stopped and helped Susan Hacker to prepare tea. "And how do 'e like being married?" asked the elder. "Very well; but not quite so well as I thought to," answered Milly with her usual frankness. "Ah! same with most, though few have the pluck to confess it." "Being married is a very fine thing if you've got such a husband as Rupert; but living along with your husband's people ain't so fine, if you understand me. You see, he's farmer now, and he will have his way--a terrible resolute chap where the land and the things be concerned. But sometimes his mother gets a bit restive at Rupert's orders, and sometimes she says, in her quiet way, as her husband never would have held with this or that. 'Tis a thought awkward now and again, because, you see, Rupert ban't the favourite, and never was." "You side with him, of course?" "Always, and always shall do--right or wrong." "Maybe when Master Ned's married and away Mrs. Baskerville will go easier." "Don't think I'm grumbling. She's a kind woman, but, like all old married folk, seem to think young married folk be only playing at it. The truth is that I haven't got enough to do for the minute." Mr. Baskerville returned in half an hour, and Rupert walked beside him. Then, with some silent suffering, the old man alighted, and a boy took the pony to its stable. "Doctor was out," he said, "so I'll have to trouble you to make up a bit of your ointment after all." "And so I will," answered Susan. "And if you'd gone to that Gollop woman for the beastliness she pretends will cure everything, I'd never have forgiven you. She helped to kill off your brother, no doubt, but that's no reason why you should give her a chance to kill you." "You're all alike," he said; "a jealous generation. But if you can have your physic ready in an hour, so much the better; then Rupert shall give my back a good rub before he goes." Mrs. Hacker was doubtful. "Better I do it," she said. "'Tis the way it's rubbed in makes the cure." "He's stronger and can rub harder," answered the patient. "Uncle Nathan's none too grand, neither," declared his nephew. "Won't say what's amiss, but I do think he's not all he might be. I asked Mrs. Lintern, who knows more about him than anybody, I reckon, and she told me 'twas nothing much in her opinion--only his throat a bit queer."