The husband said no word in acknowledgment of this compliment, nor did he thank Mr. Crawley for what he had done, nor appear as though he intended to take any notice of him. He was going on with his work when Mr. Crawley again interrupted him.
"How did you get back from Silverbridge yesterday, Dan?"
"Footed it,—all the blessed way."
"It's only eight miles."
"And I footed it there, and that's sixteen. And I paid one-and-sixpence for beer and grub;—s'help me, I did."
"Dan!" said the voice from the bed, rebuking him for the impropriety of his language.
"Well; I beg pardon, but I did. And they guv' me two bob;—just two plain shillings, by ––––"
"Dan!"
"And I'd 've arned three-and-six here at brickmaking easy; that's what I would. How's a poor man to live that way? They'll not cotch me at Barchester 'Sizes at that price; they may be sure of that. Look there,—that's what I've got for my day." And he put his hand into his breeches'-pocket and fetched out a sixpence. "How's a man to fill his belly out of that. Damnation!"
"Dan!"