in these valleys. Besides, what person in his senses would think
of trying to disestablish John Backhouse? He and his queer brother
are as much a feature of the valley as High Fell. We have too few
originals left to be so very particular about trifles.'

'Trifles?' repeated Mrs. Seaton in a deep voice, throwing up her
eyes. But she would not venture an argument with Dr. Baker. He
had all the cheery self-confidence of the old established local
doctor, who knows himself to be a power, and neither Mrs. Seaton
nor her restless, intriguing little husband had ever yet succeeded
in putting him down.

'You must see these two old characters,' said Dr. Baker to Elsmere
across the table. 'They are relics of Westmoreland which will soon
have disappeared. Old John, who is going on for seventy, is as
tough an old dalesman as ever you saw. He doesn't measure his cups,
but he would scorn to be floored by them. I don't believe he does
drink much, but if he does there is probably no amount of whiskey
that he couldn't carry. Jim, the other brother, is about five years
older. He is a kind of softie--all alive on one side of his brain,
and a noodle on the other. A single glass of rum and water puts
him under the table. And as he never can refuse this glass, and
as the temptation generally seizes him when they are on their rounds,
he is always getting John into disgrace. John swears at him and
slangs him. No use. Jim sits still, looks--well, nohow. I never
saw an old creature with a more singular gift of denuding his face
of all expression. John vow's he shall go to the "house;" he has
no legal share in the business; the house and the horse and cart
are John's. Next day you see them on the cart again just as usual.
In reality neither brother can do without the other. And three