ially speaking (for
they had good connections, too, these poor Idens), who had dined at
grand London tables, seemed to enjoy themselves most thoroughly on the
rude Homeric fare.

For it was genuine, and there was a breadth, an open-handed generosity,
a sense of reality about it; something really to eat, though no
finger-glasses; Homeric straightforwardness of purpose.

Amaryllis was very fond of the old kitchen; it was the very centre of
home. This strange man, this intruding bailiff, trod heavily on her
dearest emotions. His shadow remained on the wall though he had gone.

They all felt it, but Amaryllis most of all, and it was weeks before the
kitchen seemed to resume its former appearance. Jearje was the one who
restored it. He ate so heartily, and spoke so cheerily at breakfast and
at supper, it almost made them forget their troubles to see anyone so
grateful and pleased with all they did for him. "Thank you, ma'am; dest
about a good bit a' bacon, this yer"--locally the "d" and "j" were often
interchangable, dest for jest, or just--"That'll be a' plenty for I,
ma'am, doan't want more'n I can yet"--don't want more than I can eat,
don't want to be greedy--"Thank you, miss; dest about some ripping good
ale, this yer; that it be."

He so thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated the bacon, and the cheese, and
the ale; he was like a great, big human dog; you know how we like to see
a big dog wag his tail at his food, or put his paws on our knees and
laugh, as it were, with his eyes in our face. They petted him, these two
women, exactly as if he had been a dog, giving him all the bones,
literally and metaphorically, the actual bones of the meat, and any
scraps there were, to take home with him (besides his regular meals),
and now and then some trifles of clothing for his aged mother. The dog
most thoroughly appreciated this treatment; he rolled in it, revelled in
it, grew shiny and fat, and glistened with happiness.

Iden petted him, too, to some degree, out of doors, and for much the
same reason; his cheery content and willingness, and the absence of the
usual selfish niggardliness of effort. George worked willingly and
fairly, and, if occasion needed, stayed another hour, or put his
shoulder to the wheel of his own accord, and so, having a good employer,
and not one minded to take advantage of him, was rewarded in many ways.
Iden did not reduce his wages by a shilling or eighteenpence in winter,
and gave him wood for firi