“Yes.”
“What’s it going to cost?”
“Just wait a minute,” said Rushton, with a slight gesture calling Sweater’s attention to the presence of the two workmen. Sweater understood.
“You might leave that for a few minutes, will you?” Rushton continued, addressing Owen and Easton. “Go and get on with something else for a little while.”
When they were alone, Rushton closed the door and remarked: “It’s always as well not to let these fellows know more than is necessary.”
Sweater agreed.
“Now this ’ere drain work is really two separate jobs,” said Rushton. “First, the drains of the house: that is, the part of the work that’s actually on your ground. When that’s done, there will ’ave to be a pipe carried right along under this private road to the main road to connect the drains of the house with the town main. You follow me?”
“Perfectly. What’s it going to cost for the lot?”
“For the drains of the house, £25.0.0. and for the connecting pipe £30.0.0. £55.0.0. for the lot.”
“Um! That the lower you can do it for, eh?”