It was mine host of the Ferry Inn at Cook-ham who was calling, and at the top of his voice--and a big-chested voice it was--the sound leaping into crescendo as the object of his search remained hidden. Then he turned to me:
“He's somewheres 'round the boat house--you can't miss him--there's too much of him!”
“Are ye wantin' me, sor?” came another shout as I rounded the squat building stuffed with boats--literally so--bottom, top, and sides.
“I am, sor--and bloody sick of me job. Do ye see that wherry shovin' off--the one with the lady in a sweater? Yes--that's right--just slipped under the bridge. Well, sor, what d'ye think the bloke did for me? Look at it, sor!” (Here he held out his hand, in which lay a half-penny.) “And me a-washin' out 'is boat, feedin' of 'is dog, and keepin' an eye on 'is togs and 'is ladies--and then shoves off and 'ands me this--a 'a'penny, sor--_a 'a'penny_--from the likes o' 'im to the likes o' me! Damn 'im!”--and away went the coin into the river. “You'll excuse me, sor, but i couldn't choke it down. Is it a punt ye're lookin' for?”
The landlord was right--there was a good deal of him--six feet and an inch, I should think; straight as an oar, his bared arms swinging free; waist, thighs, and back tough as a saw-log. To this was added two big blue eyes set in a clean-shaven face bronzed by the sun, and a double row of teeth that would have shamed an ear of corn. I caught, too, the muscles of his chest rounding out his boating shirt, and particularly the muscles of the neck supporting the round head crowned with closely cropped hair--evidently a young Englishman of that great middle class which the nation depends upon in an emergency. My inspection also settled any question I might have had as to why he was “William,” and never “Bill,” to those about him.
The one thing lacking in his make-up--and which only came into view when he turned his head--was the upper part of one ear. This was clipped as close as a terrier's.
Again he repeated the question--with a deprecatory smile, as if he already regretted his outburst.
“Yes--and a man to pole it and look after me while I paint. I had old Norris for the past few years, but I hear he's gone back to gardening. Will you have time with your other work?”