Antony touched his forehead in the most approved style.
“I thank you, sor,” he responded.
Doctor Hilary smiled. “Well, good luck to you. It will be better—of course, from now onward, we must remember that you are Michael Field, under-gardener at the Hall.”
“’Tis a good name,” said Antony solemnly. “Sure, I’m downright obliged to me godfathers and godmothers for giving me such a one.”
Again Doctor Hilary smiled. “Oh, and by the way,” he said, “how about money.”
Antony felt in his pockets. He produced two florins, a sixpence, and a halfpenny. He looked at them lying in the palm of his hand. Then he looked whimsically at the Doctor.
“I don’t know whether the possession of these coins breaks the spirit of the contract. I’m thinking ’twill hardly break the letter. ’Tis all I have.”
The Doctor laughed.
“I fancy not,” he replied. “I’d better give you your first week’s wage in advance. You’ll need to lay in provisions. There’s a general store in Byestry. Perhaps you’ll want to do a little in the purchasing line. Remember, to-morrow is Sunday.”
He laid a sovereign on the table, and a moment later the garden gate clicked to behind him.