The plumber came and repaired the pump next day, going down the well
with a couple of men to hold the rope he had round his waist, and I
heard Mr Solomon grumbling and laughing a good deal about the care he
was taking.
"If he does meet with an accident, Grant," he said, "it won't be his
fault this time. Why, you look poorly, my lad. Don't you feel well?"
"I don't indeed, sir," I said; "my head swims, and things look strange
about me."
"Ah! yes," he said. "Well, look here; you have a good idle for a day or
two."
"But there are so many things want doing in the houses, sir," I said.
"And always will be, Grant. Gardeners are never done. But let that
slide. I can get on without you for a day or two."
"Have you heard how Mr Courtenay is?" I asked.
"Yes, ever so much better, young whelp! Sir Francis has been giving his
brother a tremendous setting down, I hear; and I think they are going to
school or somewhere else at once."
That day, as I was wandering about the kitchen-garden after a chat with
Ike, who had settled down to his work just as if he belonged to the
place, and after I had tried to have a few words with Shock, who puzzled
me more than ever, for he always seemed to hate me, and yet he had
followed me here, I heard some one shout, "Hi! halt!"