Chapter 2

           April9.—Commencedthemorningbadly.Thebutcher,whomwedecidednottoarrangewith,calledandblackguardedmeinthemostuncalled-formanner.Hebeganbyabusingme,andsayinghedidnotwantmycustom.Isimplysaid:“Thenwhatareyoumakingallthisfussaboutitfor?”Andheshoutedoutatthetopofhisvoice,sothatalltheneighbourscouldhear:“Pah!goalong.Ugh!Icouldbuyup‘things’likeyoubythedozen!”

           Ishutthedoor,andwasgivingCarrietounderstandthatthisdisgracefulscenewasentirelyherfault,whentherewasaviolentkickingatthedoor,enoughtobreakthepanels.Itwastheblackguardbutcheragain,whosaidhehadcuthisfootoverthescraper,andwouldimmediatelybringanactionagainstme.CalledatFarmerson’s,theironmonger,onmywaytotown,andgavehimthejobofmovingthescraperandrepairingthebells,thinkingitscarcelyworthwhiletotroublethelandlordwithsuchatriflingmatter.

           Arrivedhometiredandworried.Mr.Putley,apainteranddecorator,whohadsentinacard,saidhecouldnotmatchthecolouronthestairs,asitcontainedIndiancarmine.Hesaidhespenthalf-a-daycallingatwarehousestoseeifhecouldgetit.Hesuggestedheshouldentirelyrepaintthestairs.Itwouldcostverylittlemore;ifhetriedtomatchit,hecouldonlymakeabadjobofit.Itwouldbemoresatisfactorytohimandtoustohavetheworkdoneproperly.Iconsented,butfeltIhadbeentalkedover.Plantedsomemustard-and-cressandradishes,andwenttobedatnine.

           April10.