“I have been tired all day,” he said, to gain time for reflection.
“See,” said Alvar suddenly, “you are unhappy about this old man, whom I have dismissed.”
“Yes. I don’t defend him, far from it; but he is old and crochety, and I think you were harsh with him,” said Cherry resolutely.
“But it is I who should decide what to do with him,” said Alvar.
“Of course. Don’t imagine I dispute it,” said Cheriton, thinking this assertion rather foolish.
“You tell me that I should be master; you have told me so often. Well, then, I can be harsh to my servants if I please.”
“If you please, remembering that you and they serve the same Master above.”
Alvar paused for a moment, then said,—
“I do not please, at present. I have grieved you, as when I hurt Buffer. I will not be ruled by any one, but the old man shall live in his cottage, and have his wages; but he shall not come into the stables nor near my horses. Does that please you, my brother?”
Cherry had his doubts as to how old Bill might regard or fulfil the conditions, and certainly forbidding a servant to do any work was rather an odd way of punishing him; but he answered gratefully,—