“I can let you have five pounds,” said the rector; “I see I am short of silver.”
“That will suffice,” answered Pasco, with dignity. “I will let you have it back directly I have settled with Government about the oaks.”
Mr. Fielding gave Pepperill the gold, then excused himself, as he desired to reach home before dark, and rode on his way.
“I had no idea that to borrow was so easy,” said Pasco. “Of course, all depends on the man who asks. Everyone knows me—sound as the Bank of England.”
“And same thing,” said Quarm; “all depends on the man solicited.”
Then Pepperill, with his hands in his pockets and head in the air, his spirits revived as though he had borrowed five hundred pounds in place of five pounds, walked towards Dart-meet Bridge humming the old harvest song,—
“We’ve cheated the parson; we’ll cheat him again;
For why should the vicar have one in ten?
One in ten?
We’ll drink off our liquor while we can stand,