‘Put out? Of course I wasn’t. Why should I be put out?’
‘I think it’s bringing the scandal rather near home having him here.’
‘He’s a good workman, isn’t he?’
‘I don’t think there’s anything wrong with him that way.’
‘Well, that’s all you want to know.’
‘Harris doesn’t speak well of him.’
‘Harris is jealous of every one who sets foot in the place. You’d think he owned it.’
‘And what’ll the vicar say?’ he joked.
‘I don’t know nor care. But I’m sure we’re doing right to employ him. I don’t know what would happen to poor Mary with that good-for-nothing Malpas in jail and this man out of work.’
‘Well, I suppose you know best,’ said Mr Prosser. He had not expected Marion to take the matter up so warmly. And Abner stayed.