d
spends it. And if he is his own master, I am the master of the
estate; there is no entail.'

Chicksands laughed aloud.

'So because I come on a mission to try and save you friction and
trouble, you are going to avenge yourself on your son and my
daughter?'

'I merely point out the properties,' said the Squire provokingly,
his legs dangling.

There was a pause. Sir Henry broke it with dignity, as he turned
away.

'I think we had better break off this discussion. I cannot--I do
not--believe you will carry out what you say. But if you do, I shall
stand by the young people.'

'No doubt!' said the Squire, who seemed to bristle from head to
foot. 'Well, good-bye, Sir Henry. Sorry your visit has not been more
agreeable. Forest will look after you.' And ringing the bell
vehemently as he passed the fireplace, the Squire walked rapidly to
the door and threw it open.

Chicksands passed through it, speechless with indignation and, if
the truth were told, bewilderment.

* * * * *

The Squire shut the door upon his adversary, and then, with his
hands on his sides, exploded in a fit of laughter.

'I always knew I must be rude to the old boy some time,' he said,
with the glee of a mischievous child. 'But, ye gods, how his
feathers drooped! He looked like a plucked cockatoo as he went out.'

He stood thinking a moment, and then with a look of sudden
determination he went to his writing-table and sat down to it.
Drawing a writing-pad towards him, he wrote as follows:

'MY DEAR AUBREY--Your future father-in-law has just been
insulting and harrying me in ways which no civilized State had
ever heard of before the war. He is the Chairman of a
ridiculous body that calls itself the County War Agricultural
Committee, that lays absurd eggs in the shape of sub-Committees
to vex landlords. They have been going about among my farmers
and want me to turn out three of them. I decline, so I suppose
they'll do it for me. And they're going to plough up a lot of
the park--without my leave. And Chicksands is the head and
front of the whole business. He came here to-day to try and
coax me into submission. But I would neither be coaxed nor
bullied. I've broken with him; and if my children stand by me
properly, they'll break with him too. I really don't see how
you're going to marry Beryl after this. At least, I shall
certainly not h