Part 58 (2/2)

”So I see,” said Mr Temple rather dryly; ”but really, Mr Marion, you haven't explained yourself very clearly.”

”I s'pose not,” said Uncle Abram in a troubled way. ”That's just like me. I never do. Getting old, you see.”

”Am I to understand that you are an amba.s.sador from the landlord, and that he wants us to go?”

”Well, something of that sort, sir,” replied Uncle Abram, who was very busy wiping drops from his forehead that were not spray.

”When do these fish-buyers come?”

”To-day, sir.”

”To-day! Then why did he not speak sooner?”

”Waited like, sir, to see if there might be a change of wind. You might want to go. They mightn't want to come. Things veers about, sir, sometimes.”

”I consider it disgraceful,” said Mr Temple angrily, rising to touch the bell. ”I'll speak to the landlord myself.”

”Steady, sir, steady,” cried Uncle Abram. ”Good neighbour o' mine, you see. Spoke to me 'bout it, and I said yes, and here I be.”

”Yes, yes,” cried Mr Temple; ”but am I to be thrown out without notice just at a time when I want particularly to stay?”

”No, sir, of course not. That's what I keep explaining to you.

Neighbour puts the case before me, and I says if the missus is willing nothing would please me better, and here I be.”

”But you do not explain matters,” said Mr Temple.

”What, not that Mrs Marion and your obedient sarvant to command, Abram Marion, ex Her Majesty's sarvice, would be glad if you'd make s.h.i.+ft in our rooms--sittin', best, and two beds?”

”No. You said nothing of the kind.”

”Think of that now,” said Uncle Abram, smiling broadly. ”That's just like me, Master d.i.c.k. Gettin' old, you see. But if you could work it round that way, sir, it would be making it pleasant for all parties, and we'd do the best up at the cottage to make you comfortable; and there's my boy Will and our Josh and the boat at your sarvice, and there you are; and neighbour below don't upset his old friends.”

”I shall be delighted, Mr Marion, I'm sure,” said Mr Temple, holding out his hand, which the old fellow shook heartily, bestowing a solemn wink on d.i.c.k at the same time.

”That's a bargain then, sir?” said the old fellow, going to the door, and shouting, ”Lan'ord, ahoy!” in a voice of thunder, and then coming back to open the window and yell, ”Will, ahoy! Go and tell her as it's settled.”

Then he banged to the window, and turned round as the landlord came in smiling and looking greatly relieved.

”Gentleman says it's all right, neighbour,” said Uncle Abram.

”Thank ye heartily, neighbour,” said the landlord, ”and you too, Mr Temple, sir. It's kep' me awake for nights.”

The result was that the little party moved bodily to Uncle Abram's that morning, their luggage being conveyed, as soon as possible by Josh and Will; and directly they were in the pleasant sea-side rooms Uncle Abram took d.i.c.k round the place to point out various objects about the walls.

”Welcome to 'em as the flowers is to May, my lad,” he said with a good many nods and winks; ”only wipe 'em dry and put 'em back when done-- spy-gla.s.s, oilskins, big boots, fis.h.i.+ng-lines, nets, and curiosities for a wet day, box o' dominoes for the wet nights. Make yourself at home.”

Slap on the back.

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