LAW AND LABOUR 323 



" But Pat is leaving you and comes to me to- 

 morrow to stook for me through harvest." 



" Impossible ! " I said. " I have heard no word 

 of it. A week or so ago when I spoke to him about 

 slacking he hinted he would like to be off, but when 

 I showed him I should use my privilege over the 

 wages there was an end to it." 



" Well, he came over to me and said he was 

 quitting then ; that you had found fault with him, 

 not because of the jail episode but because he was 

 slow. He has been round nearly every day since, 

 and said that whether I gave him a job or not, he 

 should quit. I didn't know you weren't fully aware 

 of the whole thing. Men being scarce, I told him 

 he could come on." 



" But I raised his wages to the end of season on 

 the sole condition of his remaining," I said ; " and 

 he is caretaking through the winter for me, and his 

 wife and child are to come out in the spring." 



" I think you will find he is leaving you," said 

 my neighbour. 



I called Pat. " What is this that I hear about 

 your going on to Mr. Dennison and leaving me on 

 the eve of harvest ? " 



" Dennison needn't make too sure of getting me 

 there. Plenty of others round is wanting men." 



" You have been bothering Mr. Dennison for 

 days to engage you. You want to get there simply 

 because you think you will get an easy time and 

 because amongst men you are free more or less to 

 disgrace yourself, as you did the other day. Under- 

 stand that if you leave me without notice you will 

 pay for it. / shan't. I need not pay you a farthing 

 for breaking your contract. I shall consult a 



