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listen。’
‘He’s quite a animal； sir；’ John whispered in his ear with
dignity。 ‘You’ll excuse him； I’m sure。 If he has any soul at all； sir； it
must be such a very small one； that it don’t signify what he does or
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doesn’t in that way。 Good night； sir！’
The guest rejoined ‘God bless you！’ with a fervour that was
quite affecting； and John； beckoning his guards to go before；
bowed himself out of the room； and left him to his rest in the
Maypole’s ancient bed。
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Chapter 13
f Joseph Willet； the denounced and proscribed of ’prentices；
had happened to be at home when his father’s courtly guest
I
presented himself before the Maypole door—that is； if it had
not perversely chanced to be one of the half…dozen days in the
whole year on which he was at liberty to absent himself for as
many hours without question or reproach—he would have
contrived； by hook or crook； to dive to the very bottom of Mr
Chester’s mystery； and to come at his purpose with as much
certainty as though he had been his confidential adviser。 In that
fortunate case； the lovers would have had quick warning of the ills
that threatened them； and the aid of various timely and wise
suggestions to boot； for all Joe’s readiness of thought and action；
and all his sympathies and good wishes； were enlisted in favour of
the young people； and were staunch in devotion to their cause。
Whether this disposition arose out of his old prepossessions in
favour of the young lady； whose history had surrounded her in his
mind； almost from his cradle； with circumstances of unusual
interest； or from his attachment towards the young gentleman；
into whose confidence he had； through his shrewdness and
alacrity； and the rendering of sundry important services as a spy
and messenger； almost imperceptibly glided； whether they had
their origin in either of these sources； or in the habit natural to
youth； or in the constant badgering and worrying of his venerable
parent； or in any hidden little love affair of his own which gave
him something of a fellow…feeling in the matter； it is needless to
inquire—especially as Joe was out of the way； and had no
opportunity on that particular occasion of testifying to his
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sentiments either on one side or the other。
It was； in fact； the twenty…fifth of March； which； as most people
know to their cost； is； and has been time out of mind； one of those
unpleasant epochs termed quarter…days。 On this twenty…fifth of
March； it was John Willet’s pride annually to settle； in hard cash；
his account with a certain vintner and distiller in the city of
London； to give into whose hands a canvas bag containing its
exact amount； and not a penny more or less； was the end and
object of a journey for Joe； so surely as the year and day came
round。
This journey was performed upon an old grey mare； concerning
whom John had an indistinct set of ideas hovering about him； to
the effect that she could win a plate or cup if she tried。 She never
had tried； and probably never would now； being some fourteen or
fifteen years of age； short in wind； long in body； and rather the
worse for wear in respect of her mane and tail。 Notwithstanding
these slight defects； John perfectly gloried in the animal； and
when she was brought round to the door by Hugh； actually retired
into the bar； and there； in a secret grove of lemons； laughed with
pride。
‘There’s a bit of horseflesh； Hugh！’ said John； when he had
recovered enough self…command to appear at the door again。
‘There’s a comely creature！ There’s high mettle！ There’s bone！’
There was bone enough beyond all doubt； and so Hugh seemed
to think； as he sat sideways in the saddle； lazily doubled up with
his chin nearly touching his knees； and heedless of the dangling
stirrups and loose bridle…rein； sauntered up and down on the little
green before the door。
‘Mind you take good care of her； sir；’ said John； appealing from
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this insensible person to his son and heir； who now appeared； fully
equipped and ready。 ‘Don’t you ride hard。’
‘I should be puzzled to do that； I think； father；’ Joe replied；
casting a disconsolate look at the animal。
‘None of your impudence； sir； if you please；’ retorted old John。
‘What would you ride； sir？ A wild ass or zebra would be too tame
for you； wouldn’t he； eh sir？ You’d like to ride a roaring lion；
wouldn’t you； sir； eh sir？ Hold your tongue； sir。’ When Mr Willet；
in his differences with his son； had exhausted all the questions
that occurred to him； and Joe had said nothing at all in answer； he
generally wound up by bidding him hold his tongue。
‘And what does the boy mean；’ added Mr Willet； after he had
stared at him for a little time； in a species of stupefaction； ‘by
cocking his hat； to such an extent！ Are you going to kill the
wintner； sir？’
‘No；’ said Joe； tartly； ‘I’m not。 Now your mind’s at ease； father。’
‘With a milintary air； too！’ said Mr Willet； surveying him from
top to toe； ‘with a swaggering； fire…eating； biling…water drinking
sort of way