“You’re out of your mind——” began Nancy hotly; and it was not the anger that flashed into Baldwin’s eyes that stopped her; but the hand Maniwel laid on her arm.
“The lass is right,” he said sternly; “—tha’rt out o’ thy mind, or tha’d shame to say such things to a man’s ’at’s wanted to be thi friend. But it’s out o’ t’ abundance o’ t’ heart ’at t’ mouth speaks, and thi heart’s so full o’ muck ’at no clean thought can get either in or out. When a man walks crook’d he sees crook’d; and there’ll come a time when tha’ll know what it is to lack a friend. If Nancy’s husband can help tha, well and good; I’m glad on’t. If tha’s laid up treasure i’ any man’s heart it’s more than tha’s ever done afore sin’ I knew tha—nay, tha’s no ’casion to grind thi teeth; lame as I am I could throw tha on t’ fire-back wi’ my one hand, but there’s better fuel i’ t’ bucket. I’m going now; but I’ve one thing more to say t’ first. Tha’rt as miserable a soul as ever drew breath, and if tha loses thi brass tha can’ scarce be more miserable. Tha’s made it harder for me to offer tha help another time; but what I call tha I call tha to thi face and not behind thi back, and if tha finds ’at t’ stick tha’s trusting to fails tha, remember tha’s still a friend i’ Maniwel Drake—tha hears me?”
“I’ll see tha blaze before I’ll ask thy help!” Baldwin almost hissed.
“Tha’s seen me blaze just now,” returned Maniwel calmly; “or anyway tha’s heard t’ crackle. If a man doesn’t blaze i’ thi comp’ny it isn’t for lack o’ kindling. I’m going now; but I’m sorry for tha from my soul, and tha knows where to turn when tha comes to t’ far end.”
He let his eyes rest for a moment on Baldwin who spat disgustedly into the fire, and with a word of farewell to Nancy left the house.
On his way home he met Inman returning from the inn.
“I fancy you’re wanted,” he said pausing in his walk. “Baldwin’s i’ trouble.”
Inman raised his eyebrows, nodded, and sauntered on.
IN WHICH THE VILLAGERS DISCUSS THE DISASTER
NEVER had an unfortunate business man more alert and resourceful adviser than Baldwin found in Inman at this crisis. Promptly, yet with no lessening of deference—nay, with a greater show of it—the mate became captain of the ship and held the helm with a master’s hand. In the inn and elsewhere Inman made light of the disaster. It was hard luck, he admitted; but when a man had plenty left, and had always lived and was content to live, as if he had nothing, there was no need to make a fuss about the loss of a thousand or two.