he knows better how to use it."

"'Appen so, an' a'!--What does he do, more than eat and drink and
work?--an' take it out of hisself a sight harder than I do, by th'
looks of him.--What's it matter, if he eats a bit more or drinks a
bit more--"

"No," reiterated the landlady. "He not only eats and drinks. He can
read, and he can converse."

"Me an' a'," said Tom Kirk, and the men burst into a laugh. "I can
read--an' I've had many a talk an' conversation with you in this
house, Mrs. Houseley--am havin' one at this minute, seemingly."

"SEEMINGLY, you are," said the landlady ironically. "But do you
think there would be no difference between your conversation, and Mr.
Pender's, if he were here so that I could enjoy his conversation?"

"An' what difference would there be?" asked Tom Kirk. "He'd go home
to his bed just the same."

"There, you are mistaken. He would be the better, and so should I, a
great deal better, for a little genuine conversation."

"If it's conversation as ma'es his behind drop--" said Tom Kirk. "An'
puts th' bile in his face--" said Brewitt. There was a general laugh.

"I can see it's no use talking about it any further," said the
landlady, lifting her head dangerously.