This scheme was put immediately into practice; but though the sisters were obliged to stop their ears from his vociferation, it answered no purpose. 'Well, I'll bet you what you will,' cried he, 'they are all deaf: however, it's as well as it is, for if they was to come, and see me hoisted up in this cage, like, they'd only make a joke of it; and then they'd mind me no more than a pin never again. It's surprising how them young gentlemen never think of nothing. If he'd served me so when I was a 'prentice, he'd have paid pretty dear for his frolic; master would have charged him half a day's work, as sure as a gun.' Soon after, while looking out of the window, 'I do think,' he exclaimed, 'I see somebody!--It shall go hard but what I'll make 'em come to us.' He then shouted with great violence; but the person crossed a stile into a field, without seeing or hearing him. This provoked him very seriously; and turning to Camilla, rather indignantly, he said--'Really, ma'am, I wish you'd tell your brother, I should take it as a favour he'd never serve me o' this manner no more!' She hoped, she said, he would in future be more considerate. 'It's a great hindrance to business, ma'am, such things; and it's a sheer love of mischief, too, begging pardon, for it's of no manner of use to him, no more than it is to us.' He then desired, that if any body should pass by again, they might all squall out at once; saying, it was odds, then, but they might be heard. 'Not that it's over agreeable, at the best,' added he; 'for if one was to stop any poor person, and make 'em come round, and look for the ladder, one could not be off giving them something: and as to any of the gentlefolks, one might beg and pray as long as one would before they'd stir a step for one: and as to any of one's acquaintance, if they was to go by, it's ten to one but they'd only fall a laughing. People's generally ill-natured when they sees one in jeopardy.' Eugenia, already thoughtful and discomposed, now grew uneasy, lest her uncle should be surprised at her long absence; this a little appeased Mr. Dubster, who, with less resentment, said--'So I see, then, we're all in the same quandary! However, don't mind it, young ladies; you can have no great matters to do with your time, I take it; so it does not so much signify. But a man's quite different. He looks like a fool, as one may say, poked up in such a place as this, to be stared at by all comers and goers; only nobody happens to pass by.'