“If Town is only a weekly tenant, you'll be able to get his house by paying a little more for it,” said Maggie, as they walked down the green towards the smith's forge.
“That would be hardly fair; I should like to act squarely by the smith. What is his name?”
Town was cutting out the hoof of a shaggy grey cart horse when his visitors entered the cindery blackness.
“Town, this gentleman would like to speak to you,” said Maggie, raising her voice above the wheezy bellows. He threw the hoof out of his apron, and, drawing his blackened arm across his forehead, he came forward.
“Town, I am anxious to find a place on the green that I could convert into a studio; I think your house would suit my purpose very well. Do you think we could come to some arrangement? Of course I would give you a reasonable compensation.”
“Well, I really hardly know, sir; I dunno that I hardly understand. You want my house to turn into a--”
“A studio--a place where I can paint pictures.”
“I don't see how I can do without my 'ouse.”
“But I will compensate you--make it worth your while.”
“You see it is so near my work. Was I to go and live at Ada Terrace, I should, you see, be out of the way. If people want a job done they always knows where to find me.”
Seeing that Frank was exciting the smith with too wild hopes of wealth, Sally thought fit to interpose. “Mr. Escott would require permission to make any alterations in the building he thought proper--you couldn't give him permission; he would in any case have to see your landlord. Who is your landlord?”
“I don't see how I can give up my 'ouse to be turned into a painting place; it wouldn't suit me at all.”
“If I make you sufficient compensation--”
Again the smith was reduced to silence. He scratched his head, and Frank watched the sparks fly, and heard the rhythmical sledge. “I wish he wouldn't talk so much about compensation,” thought Sally. “I don't know what the man won't be asking if Frank doesn't shut up.”
“Do you think we shall be able to come to an understanding? I want to know.”
“Well, you see, sir, my wife is delicate, and I'm that afraid she wouldn't like to give up her 'ome. But I'll speak to 'er if you like to-night, sir.”
“Mr. Escott will have to see your landlord; he will have to arrange with him about the alterations.”