“Right you are, Drake! A man who wants ought better wants a thrashing for his greediness, eh? You and I drink life in with every breath, don’t we? Beats all your orange-scented breezes into a cocked hat. A Happy New Year to you, too, my friend, and prosperous! How are things looking?”
“Neither pink nor blue,” answered Maniwel with a twinkle in his eye, “thank you kindly for asking. Some days they’re drab wi’ a bit o’ blue in; and other some they’re drab wi’ a bit o’ pink.”
“But never black, I hope,” inquired Mr. Harris.
“I’m colour blind to black,” answered Maniwel, “when it gets as far as a blue-drab I stir t’ fire up. There’s always something cheerful there.”
The squire looked down at the honest face admiringly.
“And what about these rumours that are flying round that you’re not being treated fairly?” he asked. “Is there anything in them? Can I put in a word usefully anywhere?”
“No, sir,” said the other firmly, “though it’s like you to name it. What you’ve heard, I don’t know, but when tales begin to fly about they pick up more than they started with, and I dare bet I’ve naught to put up with i’ business no worse than what you’ve had i’ politics.”
“Perhaps not,” returned Mr. Harris with a laugh; “but if some of these stories are true, or only partly true, they’re beyond what’s fair and I shouldn’t hesitate to tell the parties so. However, I admire your grit, and you shall have what I can put in your way, I promise you. I’ve told Mr. Yorke so.”
“Thank you kindly, Mr. Harris; and you shall have honest work in return; but as to putting a word in wi’ them ’at wish us harm it ’ud happen only breed more slyness and bitterness. I’ve a notion ’at t’ best way o’ dealing wi’ ill-will is to live it down and try to make a’ enemy into a friend. It’s a slow way, and it doesn’t always come off, but it’s worth trying.”
“Very well,” said the squire cheerily, “but it takes a deal of oil to soften the grindstone, Drake! However, you can but try. Is Jagger of your way of thinking? I thought he was looking well, if just a wee bit frost-bitten.”