eckon," said Mrs Bosenna, "there's few would have wept if Mr Rogers
had superannuated himself years ago. Now if you'd told me he was
_turned_ out--"

"You're hard on Rogers!" he protested, tasting the joke of it.

"Well, I don't think he took on these jobs for his health, as they say;
and so it comes hard to believe as he goes out o' them for that reason.
But there! he may be an honester man than I take him for. . . .
Well, and so you're becomin' a public man too! I congratulate you."

"I wouldn' call myself _that_," said 'Bias modestly. "But one or two
have suggested that a fellow like me, with plenty of time on his hands,
might look after a few small things and the way public money's spent on
'em." He might have claimed that at any rate he knew more of harbour
affairs than Cai could possibly know of education: but he did not.
To their honour, neither he nor Cai--though they ruffled when face to
face before folks--ever spoke an ill word behind the other's back.
"There's the dredgin', for one thing; and, for another, the way they're
allowed to lade down foreign-goin' ships is a scandal."

"Is it the Harbour's business to stop that?"

"It ought to be somebody's business."

"You'll get nicely thanked," she promised, "if you interfere--and as a
ship-owners' representative too!"

"There's another matter," confessed 'Bias. "They've asked me to put up
for the Parish Council next month. There's a notion that, with this
here Diamond Jubilee comin' on, the town ought to rise to the occasion."

"And you're the man to give it the lift!" said Mrs Bosenna gaily.
"Is Captain Hocken standin' too?"

"They say so."

"Then I'll plump for both of you. Wait, though--I won't promise: or
when the canvass starts you'll both be neglectin' me."

The next day Cai called in turn with his rent. "And there's another
little matter," said he after handing it to her. "You remember that
hundred pounds? Well there's a half-year's dividend declared and due on
it, and the cheque's to arrive some time next week. What's the amount,
d'ye guess?"

"Satisfactory?"

"Seven pounds eight shillings and fourpence. . . . Eh? I _thought_ it
might astonish you."

"It's--it's such an odd amount," she murmured.

"It's close upon fifteen per cent."

"Yes. You took my breath away for the moment. I wonder at the way you
men--I mean, I wonder how _you_ do it--turnin' money to such good
account? 'Tis a gift I suppose; and you couldn' teac