Besides which, it was only a gracious condescension, and might not be repeated next year, unless he kept on his good behaviour, and paid court to the clergyman and the steward.

Unable to get at what he wanted in a direct way, Smith tried an indirect one.

He went at game, and insisted on its being reduced in number.

This he could do according to the usual terms of agreement; but when it came to the point he found that the person called in to assess the damage put it at a much lower figure than he had himself; and who was to decide what was or was not a reasonable head of game?
This attack of his on the game did him no good whatever, and was not unnaturally borne in mind--let us not say resented.
He next tried to get permission to sell straw--a permission that he saw granted to others in moderation.

But he was then reminded of a speech he had made at a club, when, in a moment of temper (and sherry), he had let out a piece of his mind, which piece of his mind was duly published in the local papers, and caused a sensation.