"You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear," she said, sententiously; "and that's what Sir Thomas is. A hard gentleman, sir, who thinks my boy is a slave; so we are going to leave his service."
"But, Mrs. Belk," observed Archie, rather puzzled, "what on earth has all this got to do with me?"
"I'm coming to that, sir," replied the woman, imperturbably; "me and my boy wondered what we'd do when we left Sir Thomas; for situations, Mr. Maxwell, are hard to get--especially for poor folks like us."
Maxwell nodded an assent, and waited until she came to the reason of her visit.
"In the papers," pursued Mrs. Belk, with a faint smile of triumph on her pale face, "me and my boy saw that strong men was being exhibited in London, and all the gentry was mad on 'em."
"Yes, I believe that is the case. This strong man craze is in all the music-halls."
"My son, sir, is called Samson, and he is as strong as a horse."
"Yes, I know that," said Archie, with the cordial admiration of physical strength which one Englishman feels for another. "He is tremendously strong. I've seen him do some wonderful things. Well, and your son proposes to come up to London and exhibit his strength."
"Yes, sir," said Mrs. Belk, with a look of triumph; "he does, sir. It's my idea."
"I've no doubt it's a good one. While the craze lasts he may make money; but after----"