“Look here,” said Sir Edward, “this can’t go on all day. Crockford, you have some sense on ordinary occasions. Don’t think to put me off with clouds and storms, etc., which you know have not the least effect upon me; but tell me straight off, what has Walter to do with it? and what do you mean?”
“Father,” said Walter, “it’s something about a lodger he has. There is a--young lady living there. I’ve seen her two or three times. She has spoken to me even, thinking, I suppose, that I was a gentleman who would not take any advantage. But the old man doesn’t think so; he thinks I’m likely to do something dishonorable--to be a cad, or--I don’t know what. You know whether I’m likely to be anything of the sort. If you have any confidence in me you will send him away--”
“A young lady!” Sir Edward exclaimed, with amazement.
“And that’s not just the whole of it, sir, as Mr. Walter tells you,” said Crockford, put on his mettle. “I’m not one as calls a young gentleman names; cad and such-like isn’t words as come nat’ral to the likes of me. But as for being a lady, there ain’t no ladies live in cottages like mine. I don’t go against ladies--nor lasses neither, when they’re good uns.”
“What does all this mean? I think you are going out of your senses, Wat--both Crockford and you. Have you been rude to any one?--do you think he has been rude to any one? Hold your tongue, Wat! Come, my man, speak out. I must know what this means.”
“It means that he is trying to make mischief--”
“It means, sir,” said Crockford, in his slow, rural way, taking the words out of Walter’s mouth--“I beg your pardon, Sir Edward. I don’t know as I’m giving you the respect as is your due, though there’s none--I’m bold to say it, be the other who he may--as feels more respect. It means just this, Sir Edward,” he went on, advertised by an impatient nod that he must not lose more time, “as there’s mischief done, or will be, if you don’t look into it, between this young gentleman--as is a gentleman born, sir, and your heir--and a little--a--a--” (Walter’s fiery eye, and a certain threatening of his attitude, as if he might spring upon the accuser, changed Crockford’s phraseology, even when the words were in his mouth)--“a young person,” he said, more quickly, “as is not his equal, and never can be; as belongs to me, sir, and is no more a lady nor--nor my Martha, nor half as good a girl.”