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.

It was more than suspected that the carrier's cart was really Luke's--that is, he found the money for horsing it, and could take possession if he liked.

The carrier's cart took his rabbits, and the game he purchased of poachers, to the railway, and the vegetables from the gardens to the customers in town.
At least one cottage besides his own belonged to him; and some would have it that this was one of the reasons of his success with the 'quality.' The people at the great house, anxious to increase their influence, wished to buy every cottage and spare piece of land.

This was well known, and many small owners prided themselves upon spiting the big people at the great house by refusing to sell, or selling to another person.