“We never did have none, sir,” interrupted Guppy.
“Just what I say,” agreed his master; “we never had the chance. You had your hands pretty full when you were head-keeper, hadn’t you?”
“I weren’t one what ’ud ever ha’ let ’em get empty,” growled Guppy.
“Well, I was thinking, now that you haven’t very much to do, you might undertake the control of those meadows down there by the river, if you feel up to it, and it’s not asking too much of you.”
“Oh! I could do it,” returned John, in a mollified tone; “I could do it right enough if I was let.”
“I should be very much obliged to you,” resumed the Squire, “very much obliged indeed. All that part of the property has got shamefully neglected. I imagine the people think they’ve got a right-of-way.”
“Very like they do,” agreed John, whose countenance was gradually clearing; “but I can soon show ’em whether they have or not.”
“Just so. Well, will you undertake to look after that part of the estate for me? It will be a great relief to my mind. Don’t overtire yourself, you know; but any day that you are feeling pretty fit you might stroll round, and just keep a sharp look-out.”
“’E-es, I could do that,” said John, after considering for a moment; “I could do it all right, Squire. I will look into the matter.”
“That’s right. Thank you very much, John. I shall feel quite satisfied about it now.”