his chest, and what the young Copper also."

'Jerry talked for nearly a quarter of an hour about sick people in the
village, while Rene asked questions. Then he sighed, and said, "You
explain very well, Monsieur Gamm, but if only I had your opportunities
to listen for myself! Do you think these poor people would let me listen
to them through my trumpet--for a little money? No?"--Rene's as poor as
a church mouse.

'"They'd kill you, Mosheur. It's all I can do to coax 'em to abide it,
and I'm Jerry Gamm," said Jerry. He's very proud of his attainments.

'"Then these poor people are alarmed--No?" said Rene.

'"They've had it in at me for some time back because o' my tryin' your
trumpets on their sick; and I reckon by the talk at the alehouse they
won't stand much more. Tom Dunch an' some of his kidney was drinkin'
themselves riot-ripe when I passed along after noon. Charms an'
mutterin's an' bits o' red wool an' black hens is in the way o' nature
to these fools, Mosheur; but anything likely to do 'em real service is
devil's work by their estimation. If I was you, I'd go home before they
come." Jerry spoke quite quietly, and Rene shrugged his shoulders.

'"I am prisoner on parole, Monsieur Gamm," he said. "I have no home."

'Now that was unkind of Rene. He's often told me that he looked on
England as his home. I suppose it's French politeness.

'"Then we'll talk o' something that matters," said Jerry. "Not to name
no names, Mosheur Lanark, what might be your own opinion o' some one
who ain't old Gaffer Macklin nor young Copper? Is that person better or
worse?"

'"Better--for time that is," said Rene. He meant for the time being, but
I never could teach him some phrases.

'"I thought so too," said Jerry. "But how about time to come?"

'Rene shook his head, and then he blew his nose. You don't know how odd a
man looks blowing his nose when you are sitting directly above him.

'"I've thought that too," said Jerry. He rumbled so deep I could scarcely
catch. "It don't make much odds to me, because I'm old. But you're
young, Mosheur--you're young," and he put his hand on Rene's knee, and
Rene covered it with his hand. I didn't know they were such friends.

'"Thank you, mon ami," said Rene. "I am much oblige. Let us return to
our trumpet-making. But I forget"--he stood up--"it appears that you
receive this afternoon!"

'You can't see into Gamm's Lane from the oak, but the gate opened, and
fat little Doctor Break st