“You’ll have heard, I reckon, ’at t’ new boss has lamed his-self?”
Bill Holmes delivered himself of the inquiry the moment he was seated, with the air of a man who feels sure he is imparting brand-new information. The silence of the company whose eyes fixed themselves upon him interrogatively, confirmed this belief, and he lit his pipe with provoking deliberation.
“We’ve heard nowt o’ t’ sort,” said Swithin, as Bill professed to find difficulties in making his pipe draw; “but I for one aren’t capped. What sort of a accident is it ’at he’s happened?”
“I thowt you’d mebbe ha’ ’eard tell,” said Bill, who was elated to find himself for once on the parliamentary front-bench and was determined to make the most of his opportunity.
“He sent for our Frank into t’ house and telled ’im to keep ’is mouth shut: ’at he’d fallen ’ard on t’ road when he wor goin’ into t’ shop afore dayleet and twisted ’is ankle beside ’urtin’ his knee-cap.”
Swithin sat back in his chair, a look of satisfaction on his face, and several of the others, including some of Inman’s defenders, exchanged significant glances.
“There wor a black frost, reyt eniff, first thing,” said Ambrose. “It’s hard weather, and that slippy i’ places I thowt once ower I should ha’ to bide at home—”
“It is slippy, Ambrose,” Swithin broke in. He was never happier than when circumstances allowed him to adopt the tone and manner of an examining counsel, and he looked round upon the company with the same glance of command that always brought his dogs to attention when sheep were to be shepherded. “We’re all aware o’ that fact. But I’ve a question or two I want to put to Bill if so be ’at he’s a mind to answer ’em.” He cleared his throat, and fixed the witness with his eye. “If Frank had to keep his mouth shut how comes it ’at he’s opened it?
“ ’Cos Inman’s lowsened him,” replied Bill. “He sees it’s goin’ to keep him laid up for a day or two, so it’s n’ewse tryin’ to ’ide it.”
“I thowt as much! He didn’t leet to say, I reckon, what made him so partic’lar to keep it quiet at first?”