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Updated: May 26, 2025
"Because they can't get rid of 'em, that's why. Me an' Empty have always stood on our indignity, an' it's a mighty good stool to stand on. We don't have to depend on the Stubbles fer a livin'. We have our little farm, our cow, pig, an' hens. Empty ketches enough fish to do us, an' he always gits a deer or two in the fall, an' that is all the meat we want.
His brow knitted, and his small crafty eyes became like two narrow slits. "I am afraid I can't do anything for you," he at length replied. "It's utterly impossible for me to undertake your case." "And why not?" "Oh, there are personal reasons which I do not care to explain." "Fear of the Stubbles, eh?" "They are good customers of mine. I would not like to offend them."
"So any clergyman who wishes to get along in this parish must keep on the good side of Mr. Stubbles?" "That's jist it. He must knuckle down to him or git out." "But why do the people allow that?" "Allow what?" "Mr. Stubbles to rule things in such a way?" "H'm, they can't help it. Why, Si Stubbles owns most of the people in this place, body an' soul.
Nellie Strong, God bless her, an' Nan, her sister, didn't go agin 'em, but they were in a difficult persition with that cranky father of theirs." "Would Church matters have gone on smoothly but for the Stubbles?" Douglas asked. "They always did before Si an' his brood came to this place. Even supposin' the parsons weren't up to the mark, we would have got along all right.
They begin to drive them generally in August, by which time the harvest is almost over, and the geese may feed in the stubbles as they go. Thus they hold on to the end of October, when the roads begin to be too stiff and deep for their broad feet and short legs to march in.
We passed with them a quiet luxurious day of coffee and pipes, fresh cream and roasted mutton: after the plain-heats we enjoyed the cool breeze of the hills, the cloudy sky, and the verdure of the glades, made doubly green by comparison with the parched stubbles below. The Eesa, here mixed with the Gudabirsi, have little power: we found them poor and proportionally importunate.
"I am glad you have come to see me to-night, for your story has solved a problem which has been perplexing me all day. Simon Stubbles is on the rocks and has appealed to me for help." "On the rocks!" Douglas vaguely repeated. "Yes, on the rocks. He is financially embarrassed, and has signalled to me for assistance." "That's news to me. I thought he was very wealthy." "And so did every one.
"Are you not afraid of losing your help?" "Damn Si Stubbles!" Jake roared. It was only when wrought up to the highest pitch of fury that Jake swore, and then it was well for his enemies to beware of him. "No, I'm not afraid of losin' ye, an' Si Stubbles ain't the man wot kin drive ye away, either. You jist stay where ye are." "I intend to," Douglas calmly replied.
She had given herself, no doubt, to Ben Stubbles, so that ended it. It seemed to Douglas as if everything he undertook was a failure. He had not succeeded with his work at St. Margaret's, and he had become entangled in a quarrel in the very parish where he was shortly expected to come as rector, the solution of which he could not see.
"I do, I surely do, and I shall see that they are fulfilled," he cried. "Let us shake on it, then," and Douglas reached out his hand. Stubbles seized it, and as he did so tears came into his eyes and rolled down his cheeks. It was the spirit of forgiveness that had moved him and caused his emotion. "That is good," and Garton smiled approvingly.
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