I know that dear James was very thoughtless
and extravagant, and that the times are crushing. But to go on like
this is only to go to ruin. It would be better for us to live in a
cottage on a couple of hundred a year than to try to keep our heads
above water here, which we cannot do. Sooner or later these people,
Quest, or whoever they are, will want their money back, and then, if
they cannot have it, they will sell the place over our heads. I
believe that man Quest wants to get it himself--that is what I believe
--and set up as a country gentleman. Father, I know it is a dreadful
thing to say, but we ought to leave Honham."
"Leave Honham!" said the old gentleman, jumping up in his agitation;
"what nonsense you talk, Ida. How can I leave Honham? It would kill me
at my age. How can I do it? And, besides, who is to look after the
farms and all the business? No, no, we must hang on and trust to
Providence. Things may come round, something may happen, one can never
tell in this world."
"If we do not leave Honham, then Honham will leave us," answered his
daughter, with conviction. "I do not believe in chances. Chances
always go the wrong way--against those who are looking for them. We
shall be absolutely ruined, that is all."
"Well, perhaps you are right, perhaps you are right, my dear," said
the old Squire wearily.
Pages:
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71