“Well, now, but that’s a bit mean o’ Skinner’s wife,” said Mrs Wyniard in a vexed tone; “she shouldn’t ha’ done that and ne’er ha’ let me know. I wouldn’t ha’ thought that of Ellen Skinner—no, I wouldn’t.”
“But,” suggested Percy, insinuatingly, “if I gave you twenty shillings over for your good-will, and prayed you to say nought to Mrs Skinner, and I will likewise content her?”
“Well, you know how to drive a bargain, forsooth,” answered Mrs Wyniard, laughing. “Come, I’ll let Widow Skinner be—Mistress Bright, I mean. You shall have the vault for four pounds a quarter, if so be she’s content.”
Percy’s next visit was to the coal-seller and his bride. Mr Bright was not at home, but Mrs Bright was; and though she could not write her name (Note 1), she could use her tongue to some purpose.
“To be sure we hold the cellar. Sixteen pound by the year, and that’s plenty. Takes a many loads of coals to make that, I warrant you.”
“I wondered,” said Percy in a careless manner, as though he did not much care whether he got it or not, “whether you might let me the cellar for the same purpose? I think to lay in wood and coals for the winter, and my own cellar is scarce large enough, for I am a Northern man, and love a good fire. This cellar of yours, being so close by, should be greatly to my convenience, if you were willing.”
“Well, to be sure, and it would so!” assented innocent Mrs Bright. “You see, I can’t speak certain till my master comes in, but I’m sure you may take it as good: he mostly does as I bid him. So we’ll say, if Mrs Wyniard be content to accept the rent from you, you shall have it at four pound by the quarter, and give me forty shillings in my hand.” (Note 2.)
“Done,” said Percy, “if your husband consent.”
“I’ll see to it he doth,” she answered with a capable nod.
The bargain was struck: Andrew Bright did as he was told, and Percy was to become the occupant of the cellar without delay.