Page:Robert Barr - Lord Stranleigh Philanthropist.djvu/81

 and by all the villagers. You may then announce that I will allot five thousand pounds for the building, because I wish to approve of the plans, and be assured that the library is in keeping with the rest of the village, as nearly as modern construction can compare with the excellent architecture of two or three centuries ago. I will donate the piece of land you suggest, and provide an ample supply of books, both ancient and modern.

"The ancient books will be largely of my own selection, but I request you to write to every publisher in London for his catalogue, and these catalogues I wish placed on a table in the reading-room of the Village Hall. As it is the villagers themselves who complain of lack of modernity in our present selection ask them to be good enough to examine these lists, and let each place his initials before whatever book he wishes. All these volumes I will buy and send down to you. I shall also set aside and invest a capital sum of money, the interest of which will keep this library going for ever; the income being sufficient to pay for all clerical work, repairs, and additional volumes as they are issued."

Wilson hesitated.

"I think, my lord, we run some risk of offending Mr. Barnacle, who has been very generous in the