But of Tom's way of meeting the proposal Mr. Tinker was, of course, as yet, quite unaware. He had taken it for granted that Wimpenny was well informed, that he would not have repeated to him a vulgar _canard_.
And Mr. Tinker was therefore in high dudgeon when he spoke to Dorothy on the subject.
"Does that Tom Pinder live at Garside's yet?" he asked.
Dorothy opened her eyes in wonderment. It was the first time she remembered her uncle to have so much as mentioned Tom's name to her.
"I believe so, off and on. But I think Lucy Garside, Ben's daughter, told me they see very little of him except on Sunday night. He seems to spend both day and night at his mill. Lucy says he does the work of three men."
"You seem to be very intimate with these Garsides. 'Lucy' comes very pat to your lips. Do you see much of them? Do you ever meet this Pinder there?"
"I think you might remember you are my niece. Such people as we are not fit associates for the Garsides; still less for their lodger."
"Law! uncle, what have they done now? I've known Lucy ever since I could toddle almost."
"That may be. It's your aunt's fault, I suppose. I can't attend to everything. And now your aunt's illness keeps her at Harrogate you do pretty much as you like, I suppose."
"When the cat's away the mice will play," thought Dorothy; but only thought it.
"Well," continued Jabez, "you mustn't visit the house any more. I won't have it. If you don't respect yourself, you must respect me. You must drop these Garsides and Pinder too. By the bye, come to think of it, Wimpenny told me something about you seeming to be very familiar with Pinder at the Whitsuntide gathering. I didn't take much notice of it at the time. But be good enough to ignore him next time you chance to meet him."
"I'm sure I'm much obliged to Mr. Wimpenny for his interest in my movements," said Dorothy. "Are you acting on his advice, uncle? Did he charge you 'six--an'-eight' for it? He must be very smart, for I'm sure it isn't worth half the money."
"This is no laughing matter miss, I'd have you know, I tell you, you must drop these Garsides, and that young puppy too."
"D----n Mr. Wimpenny," roared Jabez. "You know my meaning very well. See to it that you heed it. People will be saying next that you are running after the jackanapes."