quiet and pleasant,
though somewhat reserved, manner. His features were in no way
remarkable, with the exception of his eyes, which seemed to have been
set in his head owing to some curious error of nature. For whereas his
general tone was dark, his hair in particular being jet black, these
eyes were grey, and jarred extraordinarily upon their companion
features. For the rest, he was a man of some presence, and with the
manners of a gentleman.

"Well, George," he said, "what is it that brings you to Boisingham? A
letter from the Squire. Thank you. Take a seat, will you, will I look
through it? Umph, wants me to come and see him at eleven o'clock. I am
very sorry, but I can't manage that anyway. Ah, I see, about the Moat
Farm. Janter told me that he was going to throw it up, and I advised
him to do nothing of the sort, but he is a dissatisfied sort of a
fellow, Janter is, and Major Boston has upset the whole country side
by his very ill-advised action about the College lands."

"Janter is a warmint and Major Boston, begging his pardon for the
language, is an ass, sir. Anyway there it is, Janter has thrown up,
and where I am to find a tinant between now and Michaelmas I don't
know; in fact, with the College lands going at five shillings an acre
there ain't no chance."

"Then what does the Squire propose to do--take the land in hand?"

"Yes, sir, that's it; and that's what he wants to see you about."

"More money, I suppose," said Mr. Quest.

"Well, yis, sir. You see there will be covenants to meet, and then the
farm is three hundred acres, and to stock it proper as it should be
means nine pounds an acre quite, on this here heavy land."

"Yes, yes, I know, a matter of four thousand more or less, but where
is it to come from, that's the question? Cossey's do not like land
now, any more than other banks do. However, I'll see my principal
about it. But, George, I can't possibly get up to the Castle at
eleven. I have got a churchwardens' meeting at a quarter to, about
that west pinnacle, you know. It is in a most dangerous condition, and
by-the-way, before you go I should like to have your opinion, as a
practical man, as to the best way to deal with it. To rebuild it would
cost a hundred and twenty pounds, and that is more than we see our way
to at present, though I can promise fifty if they can scape up the
rest. But about the Squire. I think that the best thing I can do will
be to come up to the Castle to lunch, and