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Updated: June 8, 2025
He exhibited the day's receipts, a handful of cash, and, with delight decently subdued, gave an account of all that had happened. 'I like this business! he exclaimed. 'Don't you trouble about anything. Leave it all to me, Miss Fouracres. One of the London aunts came down, and passed several days at the Pig and Whistle.
'Can you drive yourself, Miss Fouracres? asked Ruddiman, looking and speaking with genuine sympathy. 'Oh yes, sir. But I don't know what to do about the house. I may be away all day. And what about you, sir? 'Leave me to look after myself, Miss Fouracres. And trust me to look after the house too, will you? You know I can do it. Will you trust me? 'It's only that I'm ashamed, sir
Once more opinions were divided as to whether the hapless landlord really had or had not entertained His Royal Highness. Plainly, Mr. Fouracres' presence in the grounds of Woodbury Manor was due to the fact that the Prince happened to be staying there.
'Do you know, Miss Fouracres, I've been thinking just the same. The fact is, I don't like the thought of leaving the Pig and Whistle; I don't like it at all. This life suits me. Could you' he gave a little laugh 'engage me as your assistant, Miss Fouracres? 'Oh, sir! 'You couldn't? 'How can you think of such a thing, sir. 'Well, then, there's only one way out of the difficulty that I can see.
'Good day, Miss Fouracres, said the under-master, after his usual little cough. 'Good day, sir, was the reply, in a country voice which had a peculiar note of honesty. Miss Fouracres had never yet learnt her acquaintance's name. 'Splendid weather for the crops. I'll take a ginger-beer, if you please. 'Indeed, that it is, sir. Ginger-beer; yes, sir.
Ruddiman helped her into the trap; they shook hands silently, and Miss Fouracres drove away. Before the turn of the road she looked back. Ruddiman was still watching her; he waved his hand, and the young woman waved to him in reply. Left alone, the under-master took off his coat and put on an apron, then addressed himself to the task of washing up his breakfast things.
So long was it since the swinging sign had been painted that neither of Pig nor of Whistle was any trace now discoverable; but over the porch one read clearly enough the landlord's name: William Fouracres. Only three years ago had Mr. Fouracres established himself here; Ruddiman remembered his predecessor, with whom he had often chatted whilst drinking his modest bottle of ginger beer.
Fouracres had evidently been making his compact with the aid of strong liquor; he walked unsteadily, and in other ways betrayed imperfect command of himself. Presently, at the tea-table, he revealed to his daughter the great opportunity which lay before him, and spoke of the absence from home it would necessitate.
None the less did he think constantly of Miss Fouracres. About five in the afternoon wheels sounded; aproned and in his shirt-sleeves, he ran to the door as he had already done several times at the sound of a vehicle and with great satisfaction saw the face of his hostess. She, too, though her eyes showed she had been weeping long, smiled with gladness; the next moment she exclaimed distressfully.
'And what else do you expect at this time of the year, sir? 'Just so, Mr. Fouracres, just so! said the other, as good-humouredly as possible. 'You don't find it unpleasant? 'Why should I, sir? It was a good deal hotter day than this when His Royal Highness called upon me; a good deal hotter. The Prince didn't complain; not he.
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