This was after I had gone back from the midsummer holidays.
“Did you ask him for money, then?”
“Yes, and he said that if he wrote at midsummer and asked for payment, the farmers told him they’d pay after harvest, and if he wanted it after harvest, they said they’d pay at. Christmas, and when Christmas came, they told him to wait till midsummer. Oh, won’t I serve ’em out if ever I’m a doctor!”
“What would you do?” I said.
“Give ’em such a dose!”
“Not you, Tom.”
“Oh, won’t I! I don’t care, though; father gave me a crown and mamma half a one.”
“And enough too. What a fellow you are to grumble!”
“That I’m not. I wanted ’em to buy me a watch.”
“Get out! What a fellow you are! Next time the chaps want a nickname for you, I shall call you Watchman.”