‘If you please, sir,’ said the old man, trying to erect himself, ‘I wanted to speak to you.’
‘Well.’
‘If you please, sir, chimney smokes so as a body can scarce bide in the house, and the blacks come down terrible.’
‘Wants sweeping,’ roared Humfrey, into his deaf ears.
‘Have swep it, sir; old woman’s been up with her broom.’
‘Old woman hasn’t been high enough. Send Jack up outside with a rope and a bunch o’ furze, and let her stand at bottom.’
‘That’s it, sir!’ cried the old man, with a triumphant snap of the fingers over his shoulder. ‘Thank ye!’
‘Here’s Miss Honor, John;’ and Honora came forward, her gravity somewhat shaken by the domestic offices of the old woman.
‘I’m glad to see you still able to bring out the cows, John. Here’s my favourite Daisy as tame as ever.’
‘Ay! ay!’ and he looked at his master for explanation from the stronger and more familiar voice. ‘I be deaf, you see, ma’am.’