“Yes, that’s just what I did hear.”
“Then why did you come spying about the place?”
“Never came spying about; only wanted to know how deep she was. I don’t like mines as is two hundred fathom deep. Too hot enough, and such a long way up and down. Takes all the steam out of you. Will your guv’nors give me a job?”
“Go to the office and ask them; that’s the best way,” said Gwyn, looking at the man suspiciously, as he took off his cap, and began to smooth it round and round.
“Well, p’r’aps that won’t be a bad way,” said the fellow. “But you two won’t say anything again’ me, will you, ’cause of that row we had when you smugged my line and sinker?”
“I don’t think I shall say any more than what happened,” replied Gwyn.
“’Cause it was all over a row, now, warn’t it? Of course, a chap gets his monkey up a bit when it comes to a fight. That’s nat’ral, ar’n’t it?”
Gwyn nodded, and felt as if he did not like the look of the man at all; but at the same time he was ready to own that there might be a good deal of prejudice in the matter.
“Wouldn’t like to go and say a good word for me, would you?” said the man.
“Of course, I should not like to,” said Gwyn, laughing. “How can I go and speak for a man whom I only know through our having two rows with him. That isn’t natural, is it?”