Luke, the Rabbit Contractor 163 



cerned in the business could always procure refresh- 

 ment there, including the policeman. 



There was only one class of persons whom Luke 

 could not conciliate ; and they were the tenants. 

 These very inconsiderate folk argued that it was the 

 keepers' and Luke's interest to maintain a very large 

 stock of rabbits, which meant great inroads on their 

 crops. There seemed to be even something like truth 

 in their complaints ; and once or twice the more inde- 

 pendent carried their grievances to headquarters so 

 effectually as to elicit an order for the destruction of 

 the rabbits forthwith on their farms. But of what 

 avail was such an order when the execution of it was 

 entrusted to Luke himself? 



In time the tenants got to put up with Luke ; and 

 the wiser of them turned round and tried to make it 

 still more pleasant for him : they spoke a good word for 

 him ; they gave him a quart of ale, and put little things 

 in his way, such as a chance to buy and sell faggots 

 at a small profit. Not to be ungrateful, Luke kept 

 their rabbits within reasonable bounds ; and he had 

 this great recommendation — that whether they bullied 

 him or whether they gave him ale and bread-and- 

 cheese, Luke was always humble and always touched 

 his hat. 



His wife kept a small shop for the sale of the 



