Page:An Old English Home and Its Dependencies.djvu/288

274 "Sir Chas. Thank you, Warner; but modern men of fashion find it devilish difficult to live upon their estates. "Warner. The country about you is so charming! "Sir Chas. Look ye, Warner, I must hunt in Leicestershire—for that's the thing. In the frosts and the spring months I must be in town at the clubs—for that's the thing. In summer I must be at the watering-places—for that's the thing. Now, Warner, under these circumstances, how is it possible for me to reside upon my estate? For my estate being in Kent

"Warner. The most beautiful part of the country "Sir Chas. Curse beauty! My estate being in Kent "Warner. A land of milk and honey! "Sir Chas. I hate milk and honey. "Warner. A land of fat!

"Sir Chas. Damn your fat! Listen to me. My estate being in Kent

"Warner. So woody! "Sir Chas. Curse the wood! No, that's wrong for it's convenient. I am come on purpose to cut it. "Warner. Ah! I was afraid so! Dice on the table, and then, the axe to the root! Money lost at play, and then, good luck! the forest groans for it. "Sir Chas. But you are not the forest, and why the devil do you groan for it? "Warner. I heartily wish, Sir Charles, you may not encumber the goodly estate. Your worthy ancestors had views for their posterity.

"Sir Chas. And I shall have views for my posterity. I shall take special care the trees shan't intercept their prospect. In short, Mr. Warner, I must have three thousand pounds in three days. Fell timber to that amount immediately."