“We were biggish lads when I got stuck i’ t’ bog one day; and a rare mess I was in I can tell you. It wasn’t oft ’at I was flayed; but t’ sweat poured out o’ me that time, and t’ harder I struggled to get loose t’ deeper I sunk. You may bet I hollered for Baldwin, and when he came up he stood on t’ edge and says—‘Now, tha’s made a mullock on it! What is it worth to help tha out? Is it worth thi new knife?’ He got t’ knife, but I leathered him his jacket while he roared for mercy when I’d getten my strength back.”
Jagger’s face was hard and his father laughed.
“I could tell you more tales o’ t’ same sort, but that’ll do for a sample. When t’ time come for us to leave school we were both ’prenticed at t’ same time to Tom Clegg, and we worked side by side for many a year as you know. Tom was a queer ’un, wi’ a heap o’ funny notions in his noddle, but he kept a firm grip on t’ shop as long as he’d his health, and Baldwin and me were his main hands. He liked me t’ best o’ t’ two, I know; but he saw how keen Baldwin was, and he thought he got more work out o’ t’ men than what I did. Happen he did, for he was awlus a driver, and as long as he could squeeze a bit more brass out o’ Tom for his-self he was ready enough to squeeze a bit more work out o’ t’ men.
“Well, Tom was ta’en badly as you know, and when he couldn’t get t’ price he wanted for his business he let on that scheme ’at put it i’ t’ long run into Baldwin’s hands. It’s trewth I’m telling you when I say ’at he’d made dead certain ’at I should get it, for he knew I’d a better headpiece than Baldwin; but he reckoned to want what he called ‘fairation’ so he gave us both the same chance.
“I’m coming now to t’ point I set out for. Baldwin did well; but I should ha’ beaten him hand over hand if I hadn’t happened my accident, and Baldwin saw it. That accident, lad, was planned for me——!”
Jagger uttered an exclamation of dismay and rose from his seat, with anger flashing from his eyes. Maniwel’s voice had been quite calm and low, and he did not raise it now.
“Sit down, lad, and keep your hand on t’ brake! Remember, what I’m telling you now is a trust. Twelve months since you’d have been t’ last I should ha’ spoken to, for this meat’s over strong for babes; but you’re a man now.
“I say it was planned, and that’s all I’m going to tell you, and it’s all you need to know. He isn’t aware ’at I fun him out, and he isn’t going to be tell’d. He’s hugged his sin about wi’ him all these years, and nob’dy knows but his-self what he’s suffered.”
“Suffered!” Jagger’s tone was as low as his father’s, but charged with unbelief and contempt. “It’s you that’s suffered, you and us,—aye—and Nancy too! I could screw the dirty devil his neck round when I look at that empty sleeve! You shouldn’t ha’ told me if you want me to keep my hands off him!”
“When you’ve finished blowing t’ steam off I’ll go on,” said his father. “I reckoned I should upset you a bit, and it’s naught but nat’ral, but you must hear me out. I know he’s suffered—why, he turned again’ me from that very moment and couldn’t bide me in his sight; and though he couldn’t fashion but take you on it must ha’ cost him summat to see you i’ your father’s place. Them at wrote t’ Owd Book knew what they were talking about, lad. They didn’t say ’at sin was sure to be fun out; but ‘be sure your sin’ll find you out!’ and you may bet on’t ’at Baldwin’s fun him out long sin’.”