works the sort of way you were working when I arrived would
be pretty sure to hate Simpkins."

"Since ever he come to the place," said Callaghan, "there's been
neither peace nor quiet in it. There doesn't a day pass but he's up
here asking why this isn't done, and what's the matter with the other
thing, and whether I couldn't manage to settle up some contraption or
other. Many's the time I've said to myself it would be better for me
to starve out on the bog beyond than to have the life plagued out of me
listening to the way he does be talking."

"I expect," said Meldon, "that he's simply trying to make you do your
work, and a hard job he has of it."

"Any way, it's what I'm not accustomed to; and what's more, won't
stand."

"You'll have to stand it for a while more, any way. That's what I want
to impress on your mind. I can't have a word said against Mr.
Simpkins, in the presence of Miss King."

"The young lady there?"

"Yes, that exact young lady. She's a stranger in these parts, and
you're more or less responsible for the opinions she forms of the
people she comes across. It's to you she'll be looking for guidance
when she's in a difficulty and wants information about any one."

"She will, of course. Why wouldn't she? Amn't I old enough to be her
father and the father of a dozen more like her?"

"Exactly," said Meldon. "So when she consults you about Mr. Simpkins
you'll say all the good you can of him, and you'll praise him up to the
servants in the house in such a way that they'll repeat what you've
said to her."

"Would you have me tell what isn't true?"

"I would."

"Well, then, I'll not do it. I've more respect for myself, let alone
the young lady, than to do the like."

"Don't take that tone with me," said Meldon, "for I'll not stand it.
There isn't a man in Ireland this minute that has a greater respect for
the truth than I have. It's a good thing--one of the best things there
is--in its proper place. But there's no bigger mistake than to suppose
that because a thing is good in one place at one time, it must
necessarily be good everywhere and always. Take the case of bottled
porter. You're not a teetotaller, are you?"

"I was one time," said Callaghan, "after the mission there did be going
round the country last spring. They had me pledged before I rightly
understood what it was they were doing; but, thanks be to God, I'm
through with it now, and can take a drop of drink as well