206 IN THE GREEN LEAF 



secular matters were not to be mixed up in 

 that fashion, he said. So one day, meeting 

 the squire, spud in hand, and dogs at heel, he 

 asked the latter to compel the landlord to keep 

 his public-house closed on the Sabbath day. 



Looking the reverend gentleman straight in 

 the eyes, the squire replied, " Have I not pre- 

 sented you with a very decent living ? " 



''Certainly you have, sir ; but " 



" Then be satisfied ; the churchwarden has 

 his living to provide, so do not refer to this 

 matter again." 



I confess freely that I have learned more in 

 talking to many of those old gaffers that were 

 wont to gather about the settle of a roadside 

 pub., than in many places which are supposed 

 to be far above their level. A pint, or for the 

 matter of that a couple of pints of ale, and 

 a few pipes of tobacco are cheap luxuries, 

 and they are often well deserved. My know- 

 ledge of the people has, as I have often 

 before observed, been gained in their midst. 

 I belong to themselves, being myself but a 

 plain workman. 



