Page:Barr--Stranleighs millions.djvu/133

Rh were men slow in mind and body, and finding themselves in unaccustomed surroundings, proved but dumb dogs when the real crisis was upon them. Lord Stranleigh leaned back in his armchair, his eyes partially closed, with a semi-comical twist to his lips. It amused him to learn how cocksure Wilson was that he could mould his master into whatever shape pleased him. The utter breakdown of the rural delegation was not lacking in a certain element of humour, even though it appealed strongly to the young nobleman's sympathy, and his inherent love of justice.

"If you give way in one thing, my lord, you must be prepared to give way in all," Wilson went on in hard accents of common sense.

"What do you mean by 'all,' Wilson?"

"I mean, my lord, that the farmers will want repairs to their houses, and out-buildings, when they learn how successful their labourers have been in getting you to listen to their complaints."

"Have the farmers taken their holdings on repairing leases?"

"Certainly, my lord. They must keep in repair all the buildings on their farms with the exception of the labourers' cottages, and these cottages must be kept in repair by the labourers themselves, a duty which I find great difficulty in persuading them to perform."

"Then, of course, if I repaired the cottages, I should have no logical reason for refusing the