It is needless to say that he was accorded a hearty welcome. They did

not fuss over him; the Anglemere tenants were prosperous and

self-respecting; and though they regarded their lord and master as a

kind of sovereign, and felt greatly honored by his presence under their

roof, there was nothing servile in their attentions.

Drake sat down to the midday meal with a ruddy-cheeked child on each

side of him, and chatted with the farmer and his wife, the farmer eating

his well-earned dinner with his usual appetite, the latter waiting on

them with assiduity and perfect composure. Now and again Drake made a

joke for the sake of the children, who laughed up at him with round eyes

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and open mouths; he discussed the breeding and price of poultry, the

rival merits of the new churns and "separators" with the dame, and the

prospects of the coming harvest with the good man. For a wonder the

farmer did not grumble. The Anglefords were good landlords; there was no

rack-renting, no ejections, and a farm falling vacant from natural

causes was always eagerly tendered for.

After the meal, which Drake enjoyed exceedingly, he and the farmer sat

at the open window with their pipes and a glass of whisky and water, and

continued their conversation.

"I'm hearing that your lordship thinks of coming to Anglemere and living

among us," said the farmer. "And I hope it's true, with all my heart.

The land needs a master's presence--not that I've anything to complain

of. Wood, the steward, has acted like a gentleman by me, and I hear no

complaints of him among the neighbors. But all the same, it ain't like

having the earl himself over us. It makes one's heart ache to see that

great place shut up and empty most o' the year. Seems as if there ought

to be some one living there pretty nigh always, and as if there ought to

be little children running about the terrace an' the lawns. Begging your

lordship's pardon, if I'm too free."

"That's all right, Styles," said Drake. "I know what you mean."

The farmer nodded, and stopped his pipe with his fat little finger.

"I make so bold because I remember your lordship a wee chap so high." He

put his hand about eighteen inches from the floor, as usual. "And a

rare, hot-spirited youngster you was! Many's the time you've made me

lift you into the cart, and you'd allus insist upon driving, though the

reins were most too thick for your hands. Well, my lord, what we feels

is that we'd like to live long enough to see another little chap--a

future lordship--a-running about the place."




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