e other
fifty. And for why--but to spite me, I dun know, but they appointed
Iver to be trustee. Now, I'm in difficulties about the land. I
reckon when I'm dead it will go to the little chap, and go wi' all
the goodness drained out of it--acause I have had to mortgage it.
Whereas, if I could touch that money now, there'd be nothing of
the kind happen."

"I am very sorry for you," remarked the lawyer. "But that bequest
is beyond your reach so long as the child lives."

"What's that you say?"

"I say that unless the poor little creature should die, you cannot
finger the money."

"And if it did die, would it be mine?"

"Of course it would. By no other way can you get it, but, please
Heaven, the child may grow to be a strong man and outlive you."

"It's wonderful weakly," said Jonas, meditatively.

"Weakly in the cradle is sturdy at the table," answered the
solicitor, slightly altering a popular maxim.

"It's that peevish and perverse--"

"Then it takes after its father," laughed Mr. Barelegs. "You can't
complain of that, Kink."

The Broom-Squire took his hat and stick and rose to leave.

Mr. Barelegs stayed him with a wave of the hand, and, "A word with
you further, Mr. Kink. You gracefully likened me, just now, to
your horse Clutch expecting his feed of oats after having served
you well. Now I admit that, like Clutch, I have spent time and
thought and energy in your service, and, like Clutch, I expect my
feed of oats. I think we must have all clear and straight between
us, and that at once. I have made out my little account with you,
and here it is. You will remember that, acting on your instructions,
I have advanced money in certain transactions that have broken down
through the unfortunate turn in your affairs caused by the failure
of the Wealden Bank. There is a matter of two hundred, and something
you owe me for payments made and for services. I daresay you are a
little put about now, but it will be useful to you to know all your
liabilities so as to make provision for meeting them. I will not be
hard on you as a client, but, of course, you do not expect me to
make you a present of my money, and my professional service."

Jonas took the account reluctantly, and his jaw fell.

"I dare say," pursued the solicitor, "that among your neighbors
you may be able to borrow sufficient. The Rocliffes, your own
kinsmen, are, I fear, not very flush with money."

"Ain't got any to bless themselves with," said Jona