he could no more devote himself
exclusively and personally to Blinkhampton than Napoleon could spend all
his time in the Peninsula. The transaction was important, yet hardly
vital; besides Iver himself could keep his ear to the telephone. It was
an opportunity for Bob to win his spurs; Iver proposed to him to go to
town and act as his representative.

"I'm afraid you'll lose the game if I play it for you, Mr Iver,"
responded Bob, with a shake of his head and a good-humored smile. "I'm
not accustomed to that sort of job, you know."

"It would be a good chance for you to begin to learn something of
business."

"Well, you see, farming's my business. And I don't think I'm a fool at
that. But building speculations and so on----" Bob shook his head again.

The progressive man gazed in wonder at the stationary. (We divide
humanity again.)

"You've no desire for--for a broader sphere?" he asked.

"Well, I like a quiet life, you see--with my horses, and my crops, and
so on. Don't believe I could stand the racket." So far as physique was
concerned, Bob could have stood penal servitude and a London Season
combined.

"But it's an opening," Iver persisted, by now actually more puzzled than
angry. "If you found yourself at home in the work, it might lead to
anything." He resisted the temptation to add, "Look at me!" Did not
Fairholme, its lawns and green-houses, say as much for him?

"But I don't know that I want anything," smiled Bob. "Of course I'll
have a shot if it'll oblige you," he added. "But---- Well, I'd rather
not risk it, you know."

Janie was there. Iver turned to her in despair. She was smiling at Bob
in an approving understanding way.

"It really isn't what would suit Bob, father," said she. "Besides, if he
went into your business, we should have to be so much in town and hardly
ever be at home at Mingham."

At home at Mingham! What a destiny! Certainly Blent was in the same
valley, but---- Well, a "seat" is one thing, and a farm's another; the
world is to blame again, no doubt. And with men who want nothing, for
whom the word "opening" has no magic, what is to be done? Abstractly
they are seen to be a necessary element in the community; but they do
not make good sons or sons-in-law for ambitious men. Janie, when she had
seen Bob, an unrepentant cheerful Bob, on his way, came back to find her
father sitting sorrowful.

"Dearest father, I'm so sorry," she said, putting her arms round his
neck.

He squa