'Well, then, if you must needs know, there was not one of you, but what they had a pluck at.--Pray, says one of them, what does the old gentleman do with all those books and papers in the coach?--That's what nobody knows, says I, unless his head's cracked, which is Mary's opinion.--Then they all laughed more and more, and the lady of the house said:--Pray can he really read?--Whoo! says I, why he does nothing else; he's at it from morning till night, and Mary says she's sure before long he'll give up his meat and drink for it.--I've always heard he was a quiz, says another, or a quoz, or some such word; but I did not know he was such a book-worm.--The old quoz is generous, however, I hear, says another, pray do you find him so?--As to that, I can't say, says I, for I never see the colour of his money.--No! then, what are you such a fool as to serve him for?--So, then, your honour, I found, owing to the coach and the arms, and the like, they thought all the time it was your honour was in the coach. I hope your honour don't take it amiss of me?' 'Not at all Jacob; only I don't know why they call me an old quiz and quoz for; never having offended them; which I take rather unkind; especially not knowing what it means.' 'Why, your honour, they're such comical sort of folks; they don't mind what they say of nobody. Not but what the lady of the house is a rare gentlewoman. Your honour could not help liking her. I warrant she's made many a man's heart ache, and then jumped for joy when she'd done. And as to her eyes, I think in my born days I never see nothing like 'em: they shines like two candles on a dark night afar off on the common----.' 'Why Jacob,' said Sir Hugh, 'I see you have lost your heart. However, go on.' 'Why, as soon as I found out what they meant--That my master? says I, no, God be thanked! What should I have to live upon if a was? Not so much as a cobweb! for there would not be wherewithal for a spider to make it.' Here Sir Hugh, with much displeasure, interrupted him; 'As to the poor gentleman's being poor,' said he, 'it's no fault of his own, for he'd be rich if he could, I make no doubt; never having heard he was a gambler. Besides which, I always respect a man the more for being poor, knowing how little a rich man may have in him; which I can judge by my own case.' Jacob proceeded.