"I thought Mr. Chave——" he said.
"Exactly, vicar; you thought right. 'Tis just his handsome face makes my nephew so pushing. We be a yeoman race, we Baskervilles, though said to be higher once; but of course, as things are, Ned looking there was just infernal impudence, though his good old pig-headed father, my brother, couldn't see it. He's only blind when Ned's the matter."
"'Twas said he was going to jump in the river," declared the ancient Abel.
"Nonsense and rubbish!" declared Nathan. "Ned's not that sort. Wait till he sees himself in the glittering armour of St. George, and he'll soon forget his troubles."
"We must talk about the dresses after rehearsal. A good many can be made at home."
"Be you going to charge at the doors?" asked Mr. Gollop. "I don't see why for we shouldn't."
"Yes, certainly I am," answered Dennis. "The money will go to rehanging the bells. That's settled. Well, remember. And stir up Joe Voysey, Thomas. You can do anything with him, but I can't. Remind him about the French Eagle. He's only got to learn six lines, but he says it makes his head ache so badly that he's sure he'll never do it."
"I'll try and fire the man's pride," declared Mr. Gollop. "Joe's not a day over sixty-eight, and he's got a very fair share of intellect. He shall learn it, if I've got to teach him."
"That's right. Now I must be off."
When the vicar was gone Gollop reviewed the situation created by young Masterman's energy and tact.