Page:Robert Barr - Lord Stranleigh Philanthropist.djvu/175

 did not wish to see it jeopardised. A few years more in Stranleigh's employ, and his invested accumulations would make him independent so far as income was concerned; therefore he fervently hoped his young master would moderate his excessive expenditure.

"A gloomy report?" he asked anxiously.

"Well, that depends on the point of view. For some time now I have been trying, as you know, to ameliorate in a measure a few of the evils by which we are surrounded. I rather posed, before myself of course, not in public, as being a self-sacrificing man. Now it appears from this report received to-day that, despite all my efforts, my income has increased by a quarter of a million."

"Oh," replied Blake, his brow clearing, "that's the state of things, is it? I daresay most people would wish they had no greater cause of worry. Then, so far as self-sacrifice is concerned, you did stick to the digging of the earth for nearly two months in the spring, when I'm sure you didn't like it."

"Of course I didn't. I became impressed with the futility of labour, and instead of experiencing that sense of exaltation which writers tell us follows honest toil, I merely knew myself to be a fool. All