ake of Sally."

"There is some sense in that, my friend. And now if you wish to make
a happy life for Sally, you will do as I advise you. Will you take my
advice? My time is of value; and I am not accustomed to waste my words."

"Well, Sir, I will hearken to you. No man that meaneth it can say more
than that."

"Jack o' the Smithies, you are acute. You have not been all over the
world for nothing. But if you have made up your mind to settle, and be
happy in your native parts, one thing must be attended to. It is a maxim
of law, time-honored and of the highest authority, that the tenant must
never call in question the title of his landlord. Before attorning, you
may do so; after that you are estopped. Now is it or is it not your wish
to become the tenant of the Smithies farm, which your father held so
honorably? Farm produce is fetching great prices now; and if you refuse
this offer, we can have a man, the day after to-morrow, who will give my
ladies 10 pounds more, and who has not been a soldier, but a farmer all
his life."

"Lawyer Jellicorse, I will take it; for Sally hath set her heart on it;
and I know every crumple of the ground better than the wisest farmer
doth. Sir, I will sign the articles."

"The lease will be engrossed by next market day; and the sale will
be stopped until you have taken whatever you wish at a valuation. But
remember what I said--you are not to go prating about this wonderful
Sir Duncan, who is never likely to come home, if he lives in such grand
state out there, and who is forbidden by his father's will from taking
an acre of the property. And as he has no heirs, and is so wealthy, it
can not matter much to him."

"That is true," said the soldier; "but he might love to come home, as
all our folk in India do; and if he doth, I will not deny him. I tell
you fairly, Master Jellicorse."

"I like you for being an outspoken man, and true to those who have used
you well. You could do him no good, and you might do harm to others, and
unsettle simple minds, by going on about him among the tenants."

"His name hath never crossed my lips till now, and shall not again
without good cause. Here is my hand upon it, Master Lawyer."

The lawyer shook hands with him heartily, for he could not but respect
the man for his sturdiness and sincerity. And when Jack was gone, Mr.
Jellicorse played with his spectacles and his snuff-box for several
minutes before he could make up his mind how to deal with th