"Yes sir," he nodded, inhaling the tobacco with much apparent enjoyment,
"Adam I were baptized some thirty odd year ago, but I generally calls
myself 'Old Adam,'"

"But you're not old, Adam."

"Why, it ain't on account o' my age, ye see sir,--it be all because o'
the Old Adam as is inside o' me. Lord love ye! I am nat'rally that full
o' the 'Old Adam' as never was. An' 'e's alway a up an' taking of me at
the shortest notice. Only t'other day he up an' took me because Job
Jagway ('e works for Squire Cassilis, you'll understand sir) because Job
Jagway sez as our wheat, (meanin' Miss Anthea's wheat, you'll understand
sir) was mouldy; well, the 'Old Adam' up an' took me to that extent,
sir, that they 'ad to carry Job Jagway home, arterwards. Which is all on
account o' the Old Adam,--me being the mildest chap you ever see,
nat'rally,--mild? ah! sucking doves wouldn't be nothin' to me for
mildness."

"And what did the Squire have to say about your spoiling his man?"

"Wrote to Miss Anthea, o' course, sir,--he's always writing to Miss
Anthea about summat or other,--sez as how he was minded to lock me up
for 'sault an' battery, but, out o' respect for her, would let me off,
wi' a warning."

"Miss Anthea was worried, I suppose?"

"Worried, sir! 'Oh Adam!' sez she, 'Oh Adam! 'aven't I got enough to
bear but you must make it 'arder for me?' An' I see the tears in her