attach the rope to keep the sawn-off stump from
falling with a crash.

"Well," said Ellis, "what are we waiting for?"

Old Tummus chuckled.

"Why when I first come to these here gardens five-and-forty years ago,
I'd ha' gone up there like a squirrel, Mr Ellis, sir; but these here
fine new-fangled gardeners can't do as we did."

"Better go up now," said Barnett.

"Nay, nay, my lad, sixty-eight's a bit too ripe for climbing trees, eh,
Master Ellis?"

"Yes, of course," said the bailiff. "Come, get it done."

"Do you hear, John Grange?" said Barnett. "Up with you. Better hitch
the rope under that big bough, and saw the next. Make it well fast
before you begin to saw."

"I thought Mrs Mostyn told you to go up and cut it?" said Ellis
pompously; "and I heard you tell her how you should do it?"

"Or have it done, sir. Here, up with you, John."

John Grange felt annoyed at the other's manner in the presence of the
bailiff. There was a tone--a hectoring way--which nettled him the more
that they were precisely equal in status at the great gardens; and,
besides, there were Mary and old Tummus's words. He had, he knew, let
this rather overbearing fellow-servant step in front of him again and
again, and this morning he felt ready to resent it, as the blood came
into his cheeks.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" cried Barnett. "Up with you!"

"If it was your orders, why don't you go?" retorted Grange.

Barnett burst into a hoarse fit of laughter, and turned to the bailiff.

"Hear that, sir? He's afraid. Ha-ha-ha! Well, well! I did think he
had some pluck."

"Perhaps I have pluck enough," said the young man, "even if it is an
awkward job, but I don't see why I'm to be bullied into doing your
work."

"I thought so," continued Barnett, "white feather! Talk away, John, you
can't hide it now."

Old Tummus showed his yellow stumps.

"He can't do it, Mr Dan," he chuckled. "You're the chap to go up. You
show him how to do it."

"You hold your tongue. Speak when you're spoken to," said Barnett
fiercely; and the old man chuckled the more as Barnett turned to John
Grange.

"Now then, are you afraid to go up? Because if so, say so, and I'll do
it."

John Grange glanced at the bailiff, and then stooped and picked up the
coil of rope, passed it over his shoulder, and then seized the saw. He
mounted the ladder, and clinging to the tree, stood on the last round,
and then climbing actively, mounted the