cated to the Memorial Hall
looked a mere trifle now. The talk was of eighty thousand--with a
hundred thousand for a top limit. Over these figures Cartmell looked
important, but not outraged--evidently the Driver estate was shaping
well. But it was, as Jenny remarked, impossible to be precise on the
subject of figures, until we had more definite ideas about what we
wanted to do. Plans were, she declared, the first necessity--provisional
plans, at all events--and she was for having them drawn up at once.
Bindlecombe was in no way reluctant, but opined that plans depended
largely on site; must not the question of site be taken in hand
simultaneously? Jenny replied that Mr. Bindlecombe had so convinced her
of the unique suitability of Hatcham Ford that she was in negotiation
with Mr. Octon. Cartmell looked a trifle surprised--I do not think that
he had heard of these negotiations. Jenny added that in two years' time
she would be free to act of her own will; but in the first place two
years was long to wait, and in the second she was anxious to deal with
Mr. Octon in a friendly spirit. There was a feeling that this was
carrying neighborliness too far, but Fillingford, content with what
Jenny had already done in regard to Octon, came to her help, pronouncing
that the diplomatic way was expedient: No excuse for any opposition
should be given; you could never tell who might or might not, for his
own purposes, get up a party. If Mr. Octon proved unapproachable--he
chose the word with care and gave it with a neutral impassiveness--it
would be time enough to talk of rights.

"We can begin on something at once," Jenny declared. "I'm going to ask
Mr. Cartmell to make arrangements to put a house at our disposal for
offices. We should hold our meetings there, and I should propose to
employ a clerk to keep our records and, as time goes on, to help with
the plans and so on." She turned to Bindlecombe. "You know that house
next to Hatcham Ford--a new red house? It's got very good windows and an
open outlook. Wouldn't that do for us? I forget the name--something
rather absurd."

"Ivydene," said Cartmell. He had every detail of her property at his
finger ends.

"Yes, that's it," said Jenny, with a nod of recollection.

Everybody approved of Ivydene for the suggested purpose, and the
Committee broke up with the usual expressions of gratitude to and
admiration of Miss Driver. "She does things so handsomely--and with such
head, too!" sai