“I says in my common way: ‘Drains be damned!’ ”
John continued, warming to his work:
“Eight thousand more would be little enough to spend on the farms. That foots up twenty-five thousand pound.”
“Ah-h-h!” The Ancient shook a trembling forefinger at him. “ ’Tis easy to make free wi’ other folk’s cash. Johnny’d have my lady so pore as we.”
Agatha turned upon him.
“That’s nonsense, granfer. Her income is six thousand a year. She could borrow twenty-five thousand by giving up one thousand a year. Instead of putting this big property in order, she bribes you all with doles. And she saves herself five hundred a year. Have you got it?”
Nicodemus retorted smartly:
“I holds wi’ King Solomon, a wiser man even than I be, there bain’t no fool so irksome as a female fool.”
“Meaning, you rude old man?”
“That you be a lovesick maid, Aggie, and so soft as Nicky there.”