“That’s naught to go by,” said Jasper. “You need a fire all the year round in this old cottage.”
“Jasper’s fire hasn’t gone out for years and years,” said Leslie. “It’s unlucky.”
“That’s right, Miss Leslie,” said Jasper. “Thirty years I’ve been in this old cottage and thirty years that old fire’s been burning. No, miss, I’m having a turn-out. Makes the old cottage clean like.”
As Jasper had never been known to turn the cottage out, though always keeping it clean enough, Leslie came to the conclusion that he had gone mad. Not that this mattered, for she was perfectly sure that no amount of madness would affect his competence as a keeper. After a little talk Leslie said they must get back to the Priory.
“Oh, Mr. Margett,” said Lydia, fumbling in her coat pocket, “I didn’t forget about th
