The Whitelaws ain't the kind of people to
come back to this world, unless they come to fetch their money, and then
they'd come fast enough, I warrant. I used to see a good deal of my
uncle, John Whitelaw, when I was a girl, and never did a son take after
his father closer than my cousin Stephen takes after him; just the same
saving prudent ways, and just the same masterful temper, always kept
under in that quiet way of his."
As Ellen Carley showed herself profoundly indifferent to the lights and
shades of Mr. Whitelaw's character, Mrs. Tadman did not pursue the
subject, but with a gentle sigh led the way to another room, and so on
from room to room, till they had explored all that floor of the house.
"There's the attics above; but you won't care to see _them_," she said.
"The shepherd and five other men sleep up there. Stephen thinks it keeps
them steadier sleeping under the same roof with their master; and he's
able to ring them up of a morning, and to know when they go to their
work. It's wearying for me to have to get up and see to their breakfasts,
but I can't trust Martha Holden to do that, or she'd let them eat us out
of house and home. There's no knowing what men like that can eat, and a
side of bacon would go as fast as if you was to melt it down to tallow.
But you must know what they are, Miss Carley, having to manage for your
father.
Pages:
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463