Everybody concerned in
the business could always procure refreshment there, including the
policeman.
There was only one class of persons whom Luke could not conciliate; and
they were the tenants. These very inconsiderate folk argued that it was
the keepers' and Luke's interest to maintain a very large stock of
rabbits, which meant great inroads on their crops. There seemed to be
even something like truth in their complaints; and once or twice the
more independent carried their grievances to headquarters so effectually
as to elicit an order for the destruction of the rabbits forthwith on
their farms. But of what avail was such an order when the execution of
it was entrusted to Luke himself?
In time the tenants got to put up with Luke; and the wiser of them
turned round and tried to make it still more pleasant for _him_: they
spoke a good word for him; they gave him a quart of ale, and put little
things in his way, such as a chance to buy and sell faggots at a small
profit. Not to be ungrateful, Luke kept their rabbits within reasonable
bounds; and he had this great recommendation--that whether they bullied
him or whether they gave him ale and bread-and-cheese, Luke was always
humble and always touched his hat.
His wife kept a small shop for the sale of the coarser groceries and a
little bacon. He had also rather extensive gardens, from which he sold
quantities of vegetables.
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