d have something
more to throw into the holes at Port Gorey. And Nance and Bernel could
be adequately provided for. An excellent scheme, therefore, for all
concerned--except young Tom, who would have to behave himself better
than he was in the habit of doing or suffer the consequences.

"Yes," said Nancy. "I don't see that I'd be doing right by Nance and
Bernel not to agree to that. And if Tom behaves himself," at which
Grannie grunted doubtfully, "he can have his share when the time comes."

CHAPTER VII

HOW GARD FOUGHT GALES AND TOM

So far the discussion as to the sale of the farm had been confined to
the elders.

Young Tom had viewed John Guille's visits to the place with the lowering
suspicion of a bull at a stranger's invasion of his field. He wondered
what was going on and surmised that it was nothing to his advantage.

Words had been rare between him and his father since his refusal to lend
himself to a loan on the farm, but his suspicion got the better of his
obstinacy at last.

"What's John Guille want coming about here so much?" he demanded
bluntly.

"I suppose he can come if he wants to. He's going to buy the farm."

"Going--to--buy--the--farm!... You--going--to--sell--the--farm--away--
from--me?" roared young Tom, like the bull wounded to the quick.

"Ouaie, pardi! And why not? You had the chance of saving it and you
wouldn't."

"If you do it, I'll--"

"Ouaie! You'll--"

"I'll--Go'zammin, I'll--I'll--"

"Unless you're a fool, mon gars, you'll be careful what you say or do.
It'll all come back from the mines and you'll have your share if you
behave yourself."

"---- you and your mines!" was Tom's valedictory, and he flung away in
mortal anger; anger, too, which, from a Sark point of view, was by no
means unjustified. Selling the estate away from the rightful heir was
disinheritance, a blow below the belt which most testators reserve until
they are safe from reach of bodily harm.

Tom left the house and cut all connection with his family. He drifted
away like a threatening cloud, and the sun shone out, and Stephen Gard,
with the rest, found greater comfort in his room than they had ever
found in his company.

So gracious, indeed, did the atmosphere of the house become, purged of
Tom, that Gard, to his great joy, found even Nance not impossible of
approach.

He had always treated her with extremest deference and courtesy,
respecting, as far as he was able, her evident wish for