"Father Cuthbert, you are a clever fellow!" said Gilbert, slowly.
Father Cuthbert made no attempt to deny the impeachment.
"And where am I to be, while you are blacking your boots and carrying your coal-scuttles?"
"Quietly pursuing your inquiries between here and Exeter, and keeping out of scrapes—if you can. You will find me here again this day month."
On the evening of the next day, Squire Passmore saw and engaged a new under-footman.
"A tall, personable fellow," said he to his family; "very well-spoken, and capable, he seems. He comes from Exeter, and his name is George Shepherd."
And much vexed was he, for he had taken a fancy to his new servant, when, four days later, Robert announced to him that George had such a bad cough, and found the work so hard for his weak chest, that he wished to leave at the end of the month.
"It ben't always the strongest-looking as is the strongest," observed Cicely on the subject; "and I'm a-feared, Madam, that George is but weakly, for all he looks so capable."
Madam Passmore, who felt very sorry for poor George, tried diet-drinks, linseed tea, and lozenges, but all were to no purpose; and at the end of the month the new footman left.
"What are you doing, Mr. Stevens?" demanded Gilbert Irvine, as he entered the lodger's room at Moreton on the same evening that the under-footman's place at Ashcliffe Hull was again left vacant.