"He behaved like a man, 'a did so," said the tranter. "And I'm glad
we've let en know our minds. And though, beyond that, we ha'n't got much
by going, 'twas worth while. He won't forget it. Yes, he took it very
well. Supposing this tree here was Pa'son Mayble, and I standing here,
and thik gr't stone is father sitting in the easy-chair. 'Dewy,' says
he, 'I don't wish to change the church music in a forcible way.'"

"That was very nice o' the man, even though words be wind."

"Proper nice--out and out nice. The fact is," said Reuben
confidentially, "'tis how you take a man. Everybody must be managed.
Queens must be managed: kings must be managed; for men want managing
almost as much as women, and that's saying a good deal."

"'Tis truly!" murmured the husbands.

"Pa'son Mayble and I were as good friends all through it as if we'd been
sworn brothers. Ay, the man's well enough; 'tis what's put in his head
that spoils him, and that's why we've got to go."

"There's really no believing half you hear about people nowadays."

"Bless ye, my sonnies! 'tisn't the pa'son's move at all. That gentleman
over there" (the tranter nodded in the direction of Shiner's farm) "is at
the root of the mischty."

"What! Shiner?"

"Ay; and I see what the pa'son don't see. Why, Shiner is for putting