′Last winter, when I introduced pinking and eyelet-holing among the men and boys in the village, as a nice evening employment, and had the lines,
O let us love our occupations, Bless the squire and his relations, Live upon our daily rations, And always know our proper stations,
set to music on the new system, for them to sing the while; this very Fern—I see him now—touched that hat of his, and said, "I humbly ask your pardon, my lady, but AN′T I something different from a great girl?" I expected it, of course; who can expect anything but insolence and ingratitude from that class of people! That is not to the purpose, however. Sir Joseph! Make an example of him!′
′Hem!′ coughed Sir Joseph. ′Mr. Fish, if you′ll have the goodness to attend—′
Mr. Fish immediately seized his pen, and wrote from Sir Joseph′s dictation.
′Private. My dear Sir. I am very much indebted to you for your courtesy in the matter of the man William Fern, of whom, I regret to add, I can say nothing favourable. I have uniformly considered myself in the light of his Friend and Father, but have been repaid (a common case, I grieve to say) with ingratitude, and constant opposition to my plans. He is a turbulent and rebellious spirit. His character will not bear investigation. Nothing will persuade him to be happy when he might. Under these circumstances, it appears to me, I own, that when he comes before you again (as you informed me he promised to do to-morrow, pending your inquiries, and I think he may be so far relied upon), his committal for some short term as a Vagabond, would be a service to society, and would be a salutary example in a country where—for the sake of those who are, through good and evil report, the Friends and Fathers of the Poor, as well as with a view to that, generally speaking, misguided class themselves—examples are greatly needed. And I am,′ and so forth.
′It appears,′ remarked Sir Joseph when he had signed this letter, and Mr. Fish was sealing it, ′as if this were Ordained: really. At the close of the year, I wind up my account and strike my balance, even with William Fern!′
Trotty, who had long ago relapsed, and was very low-spirited, stepped forward with a rueful face to take the letter.
′With my compliments and thanks,′ said Sir Joseph. ′Stop!′
′Stop!′ echoed Mr. Fish.
′You have heard, perhaps,′ said Sir Joseph, oracularly, ′certain remarks into which I have been led respecting the solemn period of time at which we have arrived, and the duty imposed upon us of settling our affairs, and being prepared. You have observed that I don′t shelter myself behind my superior standing in society, but that Mr. Fish—that gentleman—has a cheque-book at his elbow, and is in fact here, to enable me to turn over a perfectly new leaf, and enter on the epoch before us with a clean account. Now, my friend, can you lay your hand upon your heart, and say, that you also have made preparations for a New Year?′
′I am afraid, sir,′ stammered Trotty, looking meekly at him, ′that I am a—a—little behind-hand with the world.′
′ Behind-hand with the world!′ repeated Sir Joseph Bowley, in a tone of terrible distinctness.
′I am afraid, sir,′ faltered Trotty, ′that there′s a matter of ten or twelve shillings owing to Mrs. Chickenstalker.′
′To Mrs. Chickenstalker!′ repeated Sir Joseph, in the same tone as before.
′A shop, sir,′ exclaimed Toby, ′in the general line. Also a—a little money on account of rent. A very little, sir. It oughtn′t to be owing, I know, but we have been hard put to it, indeed!′
Sir Joseph looked at his lady, and at Mr. Fish, and at Trotty, one after another, twice all round.
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