And
that, again, worried Edward. I do not mean to say that Leonora
actually spoke to Edward about his tenants--but he got to know
that some one, probably her father, had been talking to her about
the matter. He got to know it because it was the habit of his
steward to look in on them every morning about breakfast-time to
report any little happenings. And there was a farmer called
Mumford who had only paid half his rent for the last three years.
One morning the land-steward reported that Mumford would be
unable to pay his rent at all that year. Edward reflected for a
moment and then he said something like:
"Oh well, he's an old fellow and his family have been our tenants
for over two hundred years. Let him off altogether."
And then Leonora--you must remember that she had reason for
being very nervous and unhappy at that time--let out a sound that
was very like a groan. It startled Edward, who more than
suspected what was passing in her mind--it startled him into a
state of anger. He said sharply:
"You wouldn't have me turn out people who've been earning
money for us for centuries--people to whom we have
responsibilities--and let in a pack of Scotch farmers?"
He looked at her, Leonora said, with what was practically a glance
of hatred and then, precipitately, he left the breakfast-table.
Pages:
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207