The Rosery Folk — George Manville Fenn

"Pray speak gently, dear." "Speak gently how can a man speak gently? The things are of no value, but it worries me, I've taken such pains with them, through the cold weather, to bring them on." "You have, Sir James, you have, sir; and I never let the fire go out once." "No: but you've let the grapes go out, confound you and if I find that you have been dishonest-"