Chapter VIII. Mr Tulliver Shows His Weaker Side

other.You’vegotenougho’gells,Gritty,”headded,inatonehalfcompassionate,halfreproachful. “Fourof’em,bless’em!”saidMrsMoss,withasigh,strokingLizzy’shaironeachsideofherforehead“asmanyasthere’sboys.They’vegotabrotherapiece.” “Ah,buttheymustturnoutandfendforthemselves,”saidMrTulliver,feelingthathisseveritywasrelaxingandtryingtobraceitbythrowingoutawholesomehint“Theymustn’tlooktohangingontheirbrothers.” “NobutIhopetheirbrothers’ulllovethepoorthings,andremembertheycameo’onefatherandmotherthelads’ullneverbethepoorerforthat,”saidMrsMoss,flashingoutwithhurriedtimidity,likeahalf-smotheredfire. MrTullivergavehishorsealittlestrokeontheflank,thencheckedit,andsaidangrily,“Standstillwithyou!”muchtotheastonishmentofthatinnocentanimal. “Andthemorethereisof’em,themoretheymustloveoneanother,”MrsMosswenton,lookingatherchildrenwithadidacticpurpose.Butsheturnedtowardherbrotheragaintosay,“NotbutwhatIhopeyourboy’ullallaysbegoodtohissister,thoughthere’sbuttwoof’em,likeyouandme,brother.” ThearrowwentstraighttoMrTulliver’sheart.Hehadnotarapidimagination,butthethoughtofMaggiewasveryneartohim,andhewasnotlonginseeinghisrelationtohisownsistersidebysidewithTom’srelationtoMaggie.Wouldthelittlewencheverbepoorlyoff,andTomratherharduponher? “Ay,ay,Gritty,”saidthemiller,withanewsoftnessinhistone“butI’veallaysdonewhatIcouldforyou,”headded,asifvindicatinghimselffromareproach. “I’mnotdenyingthat,brother,andI’mnowaysungrateful,”saidpoorMrsMoss,toofaggedbytoilandchildrentohavestrengthleftforanypride.“Buthere’sthefather.Whatawhileyou’vebeen,Moss!” “While,doyoucallit?”saidMrMoss,feelingoutofbreathandinjured.“I’vebeenrunningalltheway.Won’tyou’light,MrTulliver?” “Well,I’lljustgetdownandhaveabito’talkwithyouinthegarden,”saidMrTulliver,thinkingthatheshouldbemorelikelytoshowaduespiritofresolveifhissisterwerenotpresent. Hegotdown,andpassedwithMrMossintothegarden,towardanoldyew-treearbour,whilehissisterstoodtappingherbabyonthebackandlookingwistfullyafterthem. Theirentranceintotheyew-treearboursurprisedseveralfowlsthatwererecreatingthemselvesbyscratchingdeepholesinthedustyground,andatoncetookflightwithmuchpotherandcackling.MrTulliversatdownonthebench,andtappingthegroundcuriouslyhereandtherewithhisstick,asifhesuspectedsomehollowness,openedtheconversationbyobserving,withsomethinglikeasnarlinhistone,— “Why,you’vegotwheatagaininthatCornerClose,Iseeandneverabito’dressingonit.You’lldonogoodwithitthisyear.” MrMoss,who,whenhemarriedMissTulliver,hadbeenregardedasthebuckofBasset,nowworeabeardnearlyaweekold,andhadthedepressed,unexpectantairofamachine-horse.Heansweredinapatient-grumblingtone,“Why,poorfarmerslikememustdoastheycantheymustleaveittothemashavegotmoneytoplaywith,toputhalfasmuchintothegroundastheymeantogetoutofit.” “Idon’tknowwhoshouldhavemoneytoplaywith,ifitisn’tthemascanborrowmoneywithoutpayinginterest,”saidMrTulliver,whowishedtogetintoaslightquarrelitwasthemostnaturalandeasyintroductiontocallinginmoney. “IknowI’mbehindwiththeinterest,”saidMrMoss,“butIwassounluckywi’thewoollastyearandwhatwiththeMissisbeinglaidupso,thingshavegoneawk’ardernorusual.” “Ay,”snarledMrTulliver,“there’sfolksasthings’ullallaysgoawk’ardwithemptysacks’ullneverstandupright.” “Well,Idon’tknowwhatfaultyou’vegottofindwi’me,MrTulliver,”saidMrMoss,deprecatingly“Iknowthereisn’taday-labourerworksharder.” “What’stheuseo’that,”saidMrTulliver,sharply,“whenamanmarries,and’sgotnocapitaltoworkhisfarmbuthiswife’sbito’fortin?Iwasagainstitfromthefirstbutyou’dneitherofyoulistentome.AndIcan’tlieouto’mymoneyanylonger,forI’vegottopayfivehundredo’MrsGlegg’s,andthere’llbeTomanexpensetome.Ishouldfindmyselfshort,evensayingI