rm. The two were out together,
as was usual with them, and were on the road which divided the two
parishes, Bostock from Newton. On the left of them was Walker's farm,
called the Brownriggs; and on the right, Darvell's farm, which was in
their own peculiar parish of Newton. "I was talking to Darvell while
you were away," said Ralph.

"What does he say for himself?"

"Nothing. It's the old story. He wants to stay, though he knows he'd
be better away."

"Then let him stay. Only I must have the place made fit to look at. A
man should have a chance of pulling through."

"Certainly, sir. I don't want him to go. I was only thinking it would
be better for his children that there should be a change. As for
making the place fit to look at, he hasn't the means. It's Walker's
work, at the other side, that shames him."

"One can't have Walkers on every farm," said the Squire. "No;--if
things go, as I think they will go, we'll pull down every stick and
stone at Brumby's,"--Brumby's was the name of Darvell's farm,--"and
put it up all ship-shape. The house hasn't been touched these twenty
years." Ralph said nothing. He knew well that his father would not
talk of building unless he intended to buy before he built. Nothing
could be more opposed to the Squire's purposes in life than the idea
of building a house which, at his death, would become the property of
his nephew. And, in this way, the estate was being starved. All this
Ralph understood thoroughly; and, understanding it, had frequently
expressed a desire that his father and the heir could act in accord
together. But now the Squire talked of pulling down and building
up as though the property were his own, to do as he liked with it.
"And I think I can do it without selling Brownriggs," continued
the Squire. "When it came to black and white, the value that he
has in it doesn't come to so much as I thought." Still Ralph said
nothing,--nothing, at least, as to the work that had been done
up in London. He merely made some observation as to Darvell's
farm;--suggesting that a clear half year's rent should be given to
the man. "I have pretty well arranged it all in my mind," continued
the Squire. "We could part with Twining. It don't lie so near as
Brownriggs."

Ralph felt that it would be necessary that he should say something.
"Lord Fitzadam would be only too glad to buy it. He owns every acre
in the parish except Ingram's farm."

"There'll be no difficulty about selling it,-