"He would be sure to bring his own servants." The result was that Mr MacMichael thought the thing worth trying, and resolved to lay out all his little savings, as well as what Willie could add, on getting a kitchen and a few convenient rooms constructed in the ruins--of course keeping as much as possible to their plan and architectural character.

He found, however, that it would want a good deal more than they could manage to scrape together between them, and was on the point of giving up the scheme, or at least altering it for one that would have been much longer in making them any return, when Mr Shepherd, who had become acquainted with their plans, and consequently with their difficulties, offered to join them with the little he had laid aside for a rainy day--which proved just sufficient to complete the sum necessary.

Between the three the thing was effected, and Mr Yellowley was their first visitor.
I am sorry to say he grumbled a good deal at first at the proximity of the cobbler, and at having to meet him in his walks about the garden; but this was a point on which Mr MacMichael, who of course took the old man's complaints good-humouredly, would not budge, and he had to reconcile himself to it as he best might.

Nor was it very difficult after he found he must.

Before long they became excellent friends, for if you will only give time and opportunity, in an ordinarily good man nature will overcome in the end.