Chapter 2"A purty accidentwud them stacks no more dry than a ditch. 'Twas a clear case of 'bustionfireman said so to me; as wicked and tedious a bit o' wark as ever I met in my life."It was soon found that he hindered rather than helped the work, so Reuben had to cast about for fresh plans. He felt utterly ruthless now, and was resolved to make his daughters manage the house alone. He redistributed the labour, and by handing over the poultry, calves, and pigs to Beatup, and taking some of his work upon his own shoulders, made it physically possible for Caro and Tilly to run the house and dairy with the feeble help of old Mrs. Backfield. He told them that he could not afford to engage a woman, and that they must do without hermaking no appeal to their interest or ambition as he might have done six months ago."My lord, whatever charges Sir Robert Knowles may have against me, I am ready to meet them."One evening, about the eighth day after the birth of his infant, fatigued in body, and troubled in spirit (for Calverley had that day exercised to the full the commanding power with which he was invested), he entered the cottage, and found Margaret weeping over the little babe.