"Ah, I dare say it may be a matter of management," agreed the squire. "I hadn't a very good shepherd at the time."
"I don't leave it to a shepherd," said Harrod. "Shepherds are clever enough, and there are plenty of things I learn from them and think no shame of it; but they know only what experience has taught them, and these shepherds have no experience of Southdowns. Besides, they are a prejudiced lot, and they set their faces against new ventures."
The squire laughed, a laugh in which Mr. Hoad—subdued as he always was by Mr. Broderick's presence—ventured to join.
"Yes, you're right there," he said. "You get it hot and strong, I dare say, all round. They snigger at you pretty well in the village for this water scheme of yours, I can tell you, Mr. Bailiff."
My cheek flamed, and Mr. Hoad went down one step lower still in my estimation.
"I dare say," said Harrod, shortly, and he said it in a tone of voice as much as to say, "and I don't care."
"But it's a very clever thing, isn't it?" asked dear old mother, in her gentle voice. "I never could have believed such a thing was possible."
I could have said that Reuben declared it was not possible, but I would not have told on Reuben for worlds.
"It's not a new discovery," answered the squire, who had taken no notice of the solicitor, and took mother's question to himself, "but it's a very useful one."
"I wonder you haven't thought of using it before for the Manor," put in father. "You must need a deal of water there."