OF TWO KEEPERS 



I HAVE said that Joe is our keeper. 

 He keeps the fishes, and the birds and hares 

 and rabbits on the downs, but he makes no parade 

 of these accomplishments. He also keeps the 

 hedges in order and the peace among his fellow- 

 servants on the estate. There is nothing to which 

 he will not and cannot turn his hand. I have 

 known him to spend three days in painting a roof 

 of corrugated iron sky-blue. Now the men who 

 have done that can be numbered on your fingers. 

 He can cart coals better than anyone alive. With 

 his slow smile he can make a day of east wind 

 promising. He is a lovely man. With this 

 prodigality of talent he is competent in every- 

 thing that he undertakes. He has no false ideas 

 about the comparative dignity of employment. 

 Anything that is work is good enough for him, 

 though it be the emptying of a cesspool. Such 

 distasteful labour he undertakes without a thought 

 of his place, thereby glorifying it and making it 

 worthy of him. I have never heard him say an 



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