"Why, as to that," said I, over my shoulder, "I neither eat nor
drink with a man who doubts my word."
"Meanin' those forty shillin'?"
"Precisely!"
"Well," said he, twisting his whisker with a thoughtful air, "if
you could manage to mak' it twenty--or even twenty-five, I might
mak' some shift to believe it--though 'twould be a strain, but
forty!--no, damme, I can't swaller that!"
"Then, neither can I swallow your beef and ale," said I. "Wheer be
goin'?" he inquired, rising, and following as I made for the gate.
"To the end of the road," I answered.
"Then you be goin' pretty fur--that theer road leads to the sea."
"Why, then I'm going to the sea," said I.
"What to do?"
"I haven't the ghost of an idea," I returned.
"Can you work?"
"Yes," said I.
"Can ye thatch a rick?"
"No," said I.
"Shear a sheep?"
"No," said I.
"Guide a plough?"
"No," said I.
"Shoe a 'oss?"
"No," said I.
"Then ye can't work--Lord love me, wheer 'ave 'e been?"
"At a university," said I.
"Where, master?"
"At a place warranted to turn one out a highly educated
incompetent," I explained.
"Why, I don't hold wi' eddication nor book-larnin', myself,
master. Here I be wi' a good farm, an' money in the bank, an'
can't write my own name," said the farmer.
"And here am I, a 'first' in 'Litterae Humaniores,' selling my
waistcoat that I may eat," said I. Being come to the gate of the
yard, I paused. "There is one favor you might grant me," said I.
"As what, master?"
"Five minutes under the pump yonder, and a clean towel." The
farmer nodded, and crossing to one of the outhouses, presently
returned with a towel. And, resting the towel upon the pump-head,
he seized the handle, and sent a jet of clear, cool water over my
head, and face, and hands.
"You've got a tidy, sizeable arm," said he, as I dried myself
vigorously, "likewise a good strong back an' shoulders; theer's
the makin's of a man in you as might do summat--say in the plough
or smithin' way, but it's easy to see as you're a gentleman,
more's the pity, an' won't. Hows'ever, sir, if you've a mind to
a cut o' good beef, an' a mug o' fine ale--say the word."