The steward had seen it, and thought it might be repaired; why did the keeper think it ought to be renewed altogether?
And was there not plenty of larch timber lying about, that had been thrown and not sold, that would make a very good spar-gate, without purchasing one?
Why couldn't old Hooker, the hedge carpenter, knock it up cheap?
Next came the coachman--the squire did not keep up anything of a stud, just enough to work the carriage, and some ordinary riding horses and a pony for the children.

The coachman had to explain why a new lock was wanted on the stable door; why the blacksmith's bill was so much for shoes; after which there was a long gossip about the horses of a gentleman who had come down and rented a place for the season.

The gardener sometimes had an interview about the quantity of apples that might be sold from the orchard, and twenty other peddling details, in which the squire delighted.

As for the butler, time at last had brought him to bear with patience the inquisition about the waste corks and the empty bottles.
The squire would have had the cook in and discussed the stock-pot with her for a full hour, but the cook set up her back.

She wouldn't, no, that she wouldn't; and the squire found that the cook was mistress of the situation.