[Hornblower enters-a man of medium, height, thoroughly broadened, blown out, as it were, by success.  He has thick, coarse, dark hair, just grizzled, wry bushy eyebrow, a wide mouth.  He wears quite ordinary clothes, as if that department were in charge of someone who knew about such, things.  He has a small rose in his buttonhole, and carries a Homburg hat, which one suspects will look too small on his head.]

Hornblower.  Good morning! good morning!  How are ye, Dawker?  Fine morning!  Lovely weather!

     [His voice has a curious blend in its tone of brass and oil,
     and an accent not quite Scotch nor quite North country.]

Haven’t seen ye for a long time, Hillcrist.

Hillcrist. [Who has risen] Not since I sold you Longmeadow and those cottages, I believe.

Hornblower.  Dear me, now! that’s what I came about.

Hillcrist. [Subsiding again into his chair] Forgive me!  Won’t you sit down?

Hornblower. [Not sitting] Have ye got gout?  That’s unfortunate.  I never get it.  I’ve no disposition that way.  Had no ancestors, you see.  Just me own drinkin’ to answer for.

Hillcrist. You’re lucky.

Hornblower.  I wonder if Mrs. Hillcrist thinks that!  Am I lucky to have no past, ma’am?  Just the future?

Mrs. H. You’re sure you have the future, Mr. Hornblower?

Hornblower. [With a laugh] That’s your aristocratic rapier thrust.  You aristocrats are very hard people underneath your manners.  Ye love to lay a body out.  But I’ve got the future all right.

Hillcrist. [Meaningly] I’ve had the Dackmans here, Mr. Hornblower.

Hornblower.  Who are they—­man with the little spitfire wife?

Hillcrist. They’re very excellent, good people, and they’ve been in that cottage quietly thirty years.

Hornblower. [Throwing out his forefinger—­a favourite gesture] Ah! ye’ve wanted me to stir ye up a bit.  Deepwater needs a bit o’ go put into it.  There’s generally some go where I am.  I daresay you wish there’d been no “come.” [He laughs].

Mrs. H. We certainly like people to keep their word, Mr. Hornblower.

Hillcrist. Amy!

Hornblower.  Never mind, Hillcrist; takes more than that to upset me.

     [Mrs. Hillcrist exchanges a look with Dawker who slips out
     unobserved.]

Hillcrist. You promised me, you know, not to change the tenancies.

Hornblower.  Well, I’ve come to tell ye that I have.  I wasn’t expecting to have the need when I bought.  Thought the Duke would sell me a bit down there; but devil a bit he will; and now I must have those cottages for my workmen.  I’ve got important works, ye know.

Hillcrist. [Getting heated] The Jackmans have their importance too, sir.  Their heart’s in that cottage.