Nevertheless despite his cheery assurance, he had a very bitter qualm at his heart as, an hour or so later, he looked round his little cottage, and realized, even more forcibly, precisely what he had done.
“Never mind,” he told himself and Josephus with a good show of bravery, “it’s not for a lifetime. And, hang it all, a man’s mere comfort ought to give way before injustice of that kind.”
Thus he buoyed himself up.
And then another aspect of affairs arose.
No one knew how the matter of the intended arrangement leaked out. Job vowed he’d mentioned it to no one but his wife; his wife vowed she mentioned it to no one but Job. Perhaps they spoke too near an open window. Be that as it may, Antony, again at work in his garden one evening, became aware of Mr. Curtis looking at him over the little hedge.
“Good evening,” said Mr. Curtis smoothly.
“Good evening,” returned Antony equally smoothly, and going on with his work.
“I hear you’re thinking of taking in lodgers,” said Mr. Curtis blandly.
“Sure now, that’s interesting hearing,” returned Antony pleasantly, and wondering who on earth had babbled.
“Perhaps,” said Mr. Curtis, still blandly, “I was misinformed. I heard the Grantleys were moving up here. I daresay it was merely an idle rumour.”