Page:Possession (Roche, February 1923).pdf/233

 ticket and he asked me to please drive Mike home, and to tell you he'll return the eight dollars he got off you, as soon as he gets a job."

"The robber!" said Derek, bitterly. "He got me to advance the money so he could buy himself a pair of boots in Mistwell. I ought by rights to get the police after him. . . . But I'm glad he's gone. He was a poor tool. I believe I'm well rid of him."

"And the things he used to say about you and your missus at the barber's shop was scandalous. I used to say to him, 'Snailem, it's a dirty bird that fouls its own nest.' God's my witness, Mr. Vale, I said that to him time and again, and he'd say—"

"I don't want to hear what he said. Can you do this milking for me while I bed down the stock?"

Then and there he employed Peek and his half-grown grandson to work steadily by the week, and sleep at home.

Now he felt honestly glad to be rid of Snailem. The thought of his untidy face with its eternal ooze of tobacco juice was repugnant. Peek was a decent old chap, his grandson willing and strong. The fall work was in excellent shape. He should get on very well with outside help till spring, and, by George, he would make Fawnie do her part!

While Peek milked he strode to the house to look for her. He had unlocked the door into the hall long ago.

"Fawnie!" he called loudly from the dining room. "Come here!"

He heard her descending the stairs, and in a moment her face, bright and calm as an unruffled bird's, appeared in the doorway.

"Look here," he said, "You've got to come and feed the poultry, and put the turkeys out of the poultry house.