It seems they are
having trouble about their water rights and an order has been granted
to stop the ditches. Jeffreys says nobody wants the stock just now and
imagines the lawsuit may go against them."

"Will this make things awkward for you?"

"To some extent. Langrigg costs much to run and the dykes are
expensive. I'll get my farm rents soon, but they won't go very far.
For all that, the dykes must be finished; it's the only way to get back
the money I have spent."

"Besides, you want to finish them," Carrie suggested.

"That is so," Jim agreed. "You can't leave a job half done."

He began to ponder and struggle with a disturbing doubt. If the
Irrigation Company failed, he must use economy, because the farm rents
would not enable him to live at Langrigg like a country gentleman. For
himself, this did not matter much; he did not want a number of servants
and gardeners. But Evelyn was used to the extravagance at Whitelees,
and he knew Mrs. Halliday's views.

"Well," said Carrie, "to begin with, the dykes must be finished. When
your money runs out you will use ours."

"Carrie speaks for the rest of us," Jake declared. "What she says
goes."

Jim hardly understood the emotion by which he was moved and said
awkwardly: "Thanks! You're generous, but I can't let you pay for my
mistakes."

"We are partners, Jim," said Carrie. "Until you break the partnership,
all that's ours is yours. Go on with the dykes and when you need
money, ask Jake for a check."

"Give him the book," said Mrs. Winter. "Jake can sign some forms."

Jim hesitated and smiled to hide his embarrassment. "We'll wait. I'm
not broken yet, and since Martin is backing the scheme things can't go
very wrong. However, it's lucky they didn't make me master of hounds."

In the evening he went to Dryholm and dined with Bernard at a small
table in the spacious room. Afterwards they sat by the fire talking
quietly. Flickering reflections played about the carved marble and
bright steel; electric lights, half-hidden by the cornice, threw down a
soft light, and Bernard looked old and worn as he leaned back languidly
in his big chair.

"Since you have begun to drain the marsh, we may take it for granted
you are going to stay at Langrigg," he said.

"Yes, I mean to stay."

"Then it's obvious that you ought to marry."

"I don't know if it's obvious or not," Jim rejoined. "However, since
you are the head of the house, I dare say you are e