But when his advice was asked he became a sphinx.

"Some folks say one way and some another.

Speaking personal, I dunno, Miss Jordan.

You just tell me what to do and I'll do it." This attitude irritated her so that she was several times on the verge of discharging him, but how could she turn out so old an employee and one so painstaking in the duties assigned to him?
Many a day she prayed for "a new foreman or night," but Hervey kept his job, and in spite of her best efforts, affairs went from bad to worse and the more desperately she struggled the more hopelessly she was lost.

This affair of the horses was typical.