Matt Peke then took up the parable.
"Th' old man be mortal weak an' faint for sure," he said.

"I come upon 'im lyin' under a tree wi' a mossel book aside 'im, an' I takes an' looks at the book, an' 'twas all portry an' simpleton stuff like, an' 'e looked old enough to be my dad, an' tired enough to be fast goin' where my dad's gone, so I just took 'im along wi' me, an' giv' 'im my name an' purfession, an' 'e did the same, a-tellin' me as 'ow 'is name was D.
David, an' 'ow 'e 'd lost 'is office work through bein' too old an' shaky.

'E's all right,--an office man aint much good on the road, weak on 'is pins an' failin' in 'is sight.

M'appen the 'arf-crown we've got 'im 'ull 'elp 'im to a ride part o' the way 'e's goin'." "Well, don't you men bother about him any more," said Miss Tranter decisively.

"You get off early in the morning, as usual.