Hodge and His Masters | Page 9

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. Somebody called
the landlord's attention to it, and he did not like it. Nor can he be
blamed; we none of us like to be abused in public, the more especially
when, looking at precedents, we do not deserve it. Smith next went to
the assessment committee to get his taxes reduced, on the ground of a
loss of revenue. The committee sympathised with him, but found that
they must assess him according to his rent. At least so they were then
advised, and only did their duty.
By this time the local bankers had scented a time of trouble
approaching in the commercial and agricultural world; they began to
draw in their more doubtful advances, or to refuse to renew them. As a
matter of fact, Smith was a perfectly sound man, but he had so
persistently complained that people began to suspect there really was
something wrong with his finances. He endeavoured to explain, but
was met with the tale that he had himself started. He then honestly
produced his books, and laid his position bare to the last penny.
The banker believed him, and renewed part of the advance for a short
period; but he began, to cogitate in this wise: 'Here is a farmer of long
experience, born of a farming family, and a hardworking fellow, and,
more than that, honest. If this man, who has hitherto had the command
of a fair amount of capital, cannot make his books balance better than
this, what must be the case with some of our customers? There are
many who ride about on hunters, and have a bin of decent wine. How
much of all this is genuine? We must be careful; these are hard times.'
In short, Smith, without meaning it, did his neighbours an immense
deal of harm. His very honesty injured them. By slow degrees the bank
got 'tighter' with its customers. It leaked out--all things leak out--that

Smith had said too much, and he became unpopular, which did not
increase his contentment.
Finally he gave notice that unless the rent was reduced he should not
apply to renew the lease, which would soon expire. He had not the least
intention in his secret mind of leaving the farm; he never dreamed that
his notice would be accepted. He and his had dwelt there for a hundred
years, and were as much part and parcel of the place as the elm-trees in
the hedges. So many farms were in the market going a-begging for
tenants, it was not probable a landlord would let a good man go for the
sake of a few shillings an acre. But the months went by and the
landlord's agents gave no sign, and at last Smith realised that he was
really going to leave.
Though he had so long talked of going, it came upon him like a
thunderbolt. It was like an attack of some violent fever that shakes a
strong man and leaves him as weak as a child. The farmer, whose meals
had been so hearty, could not relish his food. His breakfast dwindled to
a pretence; his lunch fell off; his dinner grew less; his supper faded; his
spirits and water, the old familiar 'nightcap,' did him no good. His jolly
ringing laugh was heard no more; from a thorough gossip he became
taciturn, and barely opened his lips. His clothes began to hang about
him, instead of fitting him all too tight; his complexion lost the red
colour and became sallow; his eyes had a furtive look in them, so
different to the old straightforward glance.
Some said he would take to his bed and die; some said he would jump
into the pond one night, to be known no more in this world. But he
neither jumped into the pond nor took to his bed. He went round his
fields just the same as before--perhaps a little more mechanically; but
still the old routine of daily work was gone through. Leases, though for
a short period, do not expire in a day; after awhile time began to
produce its usual effect. The sharpness