"Not at all," said he; and he produced the purse. "I think you'll find it as it should be."
Mrs Vernon gave him a courtly smile as she thanked him.
"I'd like ye to count it, ma'am," said Chadwick, as she showed no intention of even opening the purse.
"If you wish it," said she, and counted her wealth and restored it to the purse. "Quite right—quite right! Fifty pounds and ten shillings," she said pleasantly. "I'm very much obliged to you, Chadwick."
"Not at all, m'm!" He was still standing in the sheltered porch.
An idea seemed to strike Mrs Clayton Vernon.
"Would you like something to drink?" she asked.
"Well, thank ye, m'm," said Thomas.
"Maria," said Mrs Vernon, calling to someone within the house, "bring this man a glass of beer." And she turned again to Chadwick, smitten with another idea. "Let me see. Your eldest daughter has two little boys, hasn't she?"
"Yes'm," said Thomas—"twins."