Page:Possession (Roche, February 1923).pdf/123

 cheeks or the subtle curves of her smooth arms and neck without admiration.

It was a forward spring, and all hands were needed for the rush of farm work. Derek, therefore, was exasperated, even hurt, when Gunn came to him one morning in April and announced that he had engaged to work for Chard. He wished to leave that night.

"Well, Gunn, it is very annoying," said Derek, "after my keeping you in comparative idleness all winter, to have you leave me just when you would be of some use."

"Comparative idleness!" cried Gunn. "Idleness! What about all them drains we dug, and the care of the stock? Do ye ca' that idleness?"

"Two men could easily have done what the four of you did. Do you suppose for a minute, that I should have kept you sitting beside the stove all winter if I had known you would leave in the spring?"

"Well, I'm goin' anyway." His small black eyes were sulky.

"What the devil's the matter? Is Chard paying you more?"

"It's no money. It's environment. I dinna like the environment here. For one thing, I'm sick to death o' Mrs. Machin's cookin'. She maks our porridge so stiff ye could stumble over it, and she gie's us clout puddin's nearly every day. She doesn't gie us what you get on your table at all. Mrs. Chaird is a fine cook. She bakes pies and cakes every morning. Their Dick tells me he's treated just like one o' the family. Another thing. Newbigging and I can't get on togither and never shall. And I'm awfu' sick o' watchin' Phœbe and Hughie spoon, and o' Windmill and his upstairt ways."

"It is time you went. But, you know, I have the power to hold you for a month's notice, Gunn."