Gabriel laughed, as one accustomed to these visionary sales.
"I want the trap to-morrow. See that it's well cleaned—spick and span as you can make it."
"Isn't it allus well cleäned?" grumbled Jose, settling himself to the last of the cows.
"Well, yes; but this is a special occasion. Mr. Lomax comes home with his wife in the afternoon, and I'm going to meet them at Heathley. It isn't every day, Jose, I have to meet a honeymoon couple."
"Not sich a couple," said Jose, slowly.
"What do you mean, man? You look as sour as a winter apple over it."
"I've heärd tales as are like to set a man's back up. Oh, ay, there's been queer goings on up to Teewit House."
Partly from habit, partly from the spirit of the country, Gabriel was wont to humour old Binns; but he frowned to-night as Jose touched on matters about which he himself had been sorely exercised.
"Nonsense! I wonder at you, Jose, listening to such old woman's talk."