Mrs. J. Yes, sir, indeed.

Hillcrist. Well, but when I sold Longmeadow and the cottages, it was on the express understanding that there was to be no disturbance of tenancies: 

Mrs. J. Yes, sir; but we’ve all got to go.  Mrs.  ’Arvey, and the Drews, an’ us, and there isn’t another cottage to be had anywhere in Deepwater.

Hillcrist. I know; I want one for my cowman.  This won’t do at all.  Where do you get it from?

Jackman.  Mr.  ’Ornblower, ’imself, air.  Just an hour ago.  He come round and said:  “I’m sorry; I want the cottages, and you’ve got to clear.”

Mrs. J. [Bitterly] He’s no gentleman, sir; he put it so brisk.  We been there thirty years, and now we don’t know what to do.  So I hope you’ll excuse us coming round, sir.

Hillcrist. I should think so, indeed!  H’m! [He rises and limps across to the fireplace on his stick.  To himself] The cloven hoof.  By George! this is a breach of faith.  I’ll write to him, Jackman.  Confound it!  I’d certainly never have sold if I’d known he was going to do this.

Mrs. J. No, sir, I’m sure, sir.  They do say it’s to do with the potteries.  He wants the cottages for his workmen.

Hillcrist. [Sharply] That’s all very well, but he shouldn’t have led me to suppose that he would make no change.

Jackman. [Heavily] They talk about his havin’ bought the Centry to gut up more chimneys there, and that’s why he wants the cottages.

Hint.  The Centry!  Impossible!

[Mrs. J. Yes, air; it’s such a pretty spot-looks beautiful from here. [She looks out through the window] Loveliest spot in all Deepwater, I always say.  And your father owned it, and his father before ’im.  It’s a pity they ever sold it, sir, beggin’ your pardon.]

Hillcrist. The Centry! [He rings the bell.]

Mrs. J. [Who has brightened up] I’m glad you’re goin’ to stop it, sir.  It does put us about.  We don’t know where to go.  I said to Mr. Hornblower, I said, “I’m sure Mr. Hillcrist would never ’eve turned us out.”  An’ ‘e said:  “Mr. Hillcrist be——­” beggin’ your pardon, sir.  “Make no mistake,” ’e said, “you must go, missis.”  He don’t even know our name; an’ to come it like this over us!  He’s a dreadful new man, I think, with his overridin notions.  And sich a heavyfooted man, to look at. [With a sort of indulgent contempt] But he’s from the North, they say.

     [Fellows has entered, Left.]

Hillcrist. Ask Mrs. Hillcrist if she’ll come.

Fellows.  Very good, sir.

Hillcrist. Is Dawker here?

Fellows.  Not yet, sir.

Hillcrist. I want to see him at once.

     [Fellows retires.]

Jackman.  Mr. Hornblower said he was comin’ on to see you, sir.  So we thought we’d step along first.