If Pete could have known what caused the
sharpness in his master's voice, he would not
have been so grieved--or, rather, he would have
been grieved for a different reason. As it was he
could only falter miserably:

``_You_ are goin' to move away from here!''

``Yes, yes, man! Why, Pete, what ails you?
One would think a body never moved before.''

``They didn't--not you, sir.''

William turned abruptly, so that his face could
not be seen. With stern deliberation he picked
up an elaborately decorated teapot; but the
valuable bit of Lowestoft shook so in his hand
that he set it down at once. It clicked sharply
against its neighbor, betraying his nervous hand.

Pete stirred.

``But, Mr. William,'' he stammered thickly;
``how are you--what'll you do without-- There
doesn't nobody but me know so well about your
tea, and the two lumps in your coffee; and
there's your flannels that you never put on till I
get 'em out, and the woolen socks that you'd
wear all summer if I didn't hide 'em. And--
and who's goin' to take care of these?'' he