The Broad Highway

"Not me," said that individual, feeling his right elbow with

tender solicitude. "I'm done wi' Black Jarge, I am. 'E nigh

broke my back for me once afore, but this is the last time; I

never swing a sledge for Black Jarge again--danged if I du!"

"And 'im to mend th' owd church screen up to Cranbrook Church,"

sighed the Ancient; "a wunnerful screen, a wunnerful screen!

older nor me--ah! a sight older hunneds and hunneds o' years

older--they wouldn't let nobody touch it but Black Jarge."

"'E be the best smith in the South Country!" nodded Simon.

"Ay, an' a bad man to work for as ever was!" growled Job. "I'll

work for 'e no more; my mind's made up, an' when my mind's made

up theer bean't no movin' me--like a rock I be!"

"'Twould ha' been a fine thing for a Siss'n'urst man to ha'

mended t' owd screen!" said the Ancient.

"'Twould that!" nodded Simon, "a shame it is as it should go to

others."

Hereupon, having finished my ale, I rose.

"Be you'm a-goin', young maister?" inquired the Ancient.

"Why, that depends," said I. "I understand that this man, Black

George, needs a helper, so I have decided to go and offer my

services."

"You!" exclaimed Job, staring in open-mouthed amazement, as did

also the other two.

"Why not?" I rejoined. "Black George needs a helper, and I need

money."

"My chap," said Job warningly, "don't ye do it. You be a tidy,

sizable chap, but Black Jarge ud mak' no more o' you than I

should of a babby--don't ye do it."

"Better not," said Simon.

"On the contrary," I returned, "better run a little bodily risk

and satisfy one's hunger, rather than lie safe but famishing

beneath some hedge or rick--what do you think, Ancient?"

The old man leaned forward and peered up at me sharply beneath

his hanging brows.

"Well?" said I.

"You'm right!" he nodded, "and a man wi' eyes the like o' yourn

bean't one as 'tis easy to turn aside, even though it do be Black

Jarge as tries."

"Then," said Job, as I took up my staff, "if your back's broke,

my chap--why, don't go for to blame me, that's all! You be a

sight too cocksure--ah, that you be!"

"I'm thinkin' Black Jarge would find this chap a bit different to

Job," remarked the Ancient. "What do 'ee think, Simon?"