Humping a heavy backpack around for over a year had kept Peter fit , so although he had had to stride it out up the hill and along the drive , he was not panting a lot as he used the heavy knocker on the front door of the Manor . After a minute or so , it opened and Lady Nascent stood there in her dressing gown.

Peter looked at her and smiled .

-- I'm not late then ? I was afraid I might be . Breakfast was a bit slow at The Wishing Well , and I got caught up in a quick talk with with Jane -- err , the owner of the Craft Shop. You know , I don't even know her last name !

-- No , you're not late . But I am . I had a long business session last night and I've slept in. I was just going to make some tea . Would you like some ?

-- Always got room for a cuppa , said Peter .

-- Right then , said the lady . Everything's ready in the kitchen . Kettle's boiling , tea's in the pot . If you'll put the water on , I'll nip upstairs and get properly dressed .

-- I see you managed to get some work clothes .

-- Exclusively styled for farm workers , they are.

-- Well ,you certainly look the part. I've got a picture of some farm workers from about the 1940s that I came across among some papers . You could pass for one of them.

-- Jane took it back even further said Peter . She talked about Constable . I think the clothes actually date from 1940 though , not 1840 . I don't think his century had mothballs and these pockets were full of them .

-- Well , anyway you'll fit right into the landscape dressed like that , was the comment.

-- Tell you what! said Peter , adopting a Mummerset accent ,

-- For an extra tenner a week I'll tug my forelock when we meet.

-- I see you have a sense of humour.

There was a touch of acid in her voice.

-- Forelock tugging won't be necessary.

-- Well, -- errr actually, I could use a tenner in advance . I've paid ahead for the digs and the clothes did cost me.

-- Don't be fooled by this pile . I'm damn near broke. But I'll see what I can do.

-- Funny thing , remarked Peter . You know , I find the poorer the person is , the quicker they pay up.

-- How do you think the others get -- and stay -- rich? She spoke scornfully .

-- By being careful is how .

-- Careful ? Huh ! Any rich ones I've ever met are tighter than a dingo's eyelids in a dust storm.

-- I take it that's the censored version ?

-- I guess it does all depend on which way the wind is blowing. -- I'll do a deal . You can have your extra tenner in advance if you spare us the antipodean humour. It's a little too much to take this early.

-- Righto , said Peter with a grin. It'll be hard , but it's a deal.

Lady Nascent got in the last word as she turned to go up the stairs and Peter moved towards the kitchen.

-- Oh -- and you can keep up any forelock tugging. I've no objection to that at all.