into the world, and
they'd keep us ekal, as far as might be. But it'd take a deal of
workin' out, more than you'd think, lookin' at it first; but I'm not
goin' to say that it wouldn't be handy to have a Socialist squire. He
might divide his land ekal among us, and there'd be no more rent to pay
for any of us. There now!"

A general murmur of approval ran round his audience, except with old
Macdonald, who gave a quaint smile.

"But it strikes me that such of us as have saved a tidy bit would have
to hand it out to be divided equal too. It would not be fair as the
Squire should do it all; it would run through, you see."

"Well, I've not saved a brass farthing, so I should come in for a lot;
and I'd settle down and marry to-morrow!" cried Burney, gaily. "But,
you may depend on it, whoever's got the place will stick to it. I must
be getting on to the station. Our people are coming back from abroad
this evening, and I'm to be there to help hoist up the luggage. It
takes a carriage and pair to carry up the ladies, and an extra cart for
luggage."

"It's not the luggage you're going to meet, I'll bet; it's the lady's
maid," said a young fellow, who had not spoken before. "If you married
next week we all know well enough whom you'd take for a wife;" and Tom
moved off amid a shout of laughter.

It was an open secret that Tom was head-over-ears in love with pretty
Rose Lancaster, the somewhat flighty maid of Miss Webster, who, with
her mother, was returning to the Court that evening. Absence had made
his heart grow fonder, and it was beating much faster than usual as he
stood on the station platform awaiting the arrival of the train, and,
when it ran in with much splutter and fuss, not even by a turn of her
head did Miss Rose show herself aware of Tom's presence. Instead, she
was looking after her ladies, lifting out their various belongings--not
a few in number--and ordering round the porters with a pretty pertness
as she counted out the boxes from the van. It was only when she found
her own box missing that she turned appealingly to Tom.

"Run, there's a good boy, quick to the other van!" she said,
acknowledging him with a nod. "It must have got in there, and the
train will be off in another moment."

Tom ran as requested, pantingly rescued the box, and came back smiling
to tell her of his successful search.

"That's right," said Rose, graciously. "Now you can help me on to the
box-seat of the carriage, i