"Is he growing a bit more cheerful?"
"If he's not cheerful, there's a reason for it. But he's very sensible, with a head rather old for his shoulders—eh, Thomas?"
"Made of sense, I reckon."
"And what is his opinion of me, Thomas, if I may ask?"
Mr. Palk was always rendered cautious at the hint of personalities. He did not reply immediately, though there was no need to hesitate. But he never replied immediately to any question.
"He thinks a great lot of you, master. He holds you to be a very good man indeed."
"Then I shall think higher of his opinion than ever," replied Joe; "and you may drop in his ear that I rate him high too, Thomas. All well within reason, of course—he ain't indispensable—nobody is, great or small. Still, I'm suited and I'm glad he is."
Thomas made no reply, but rose and went out. Then Joe addressed his kinsman.
"Have you got the date out of her?"
Johnny shook his head.