Stephen Dugard (Volume 1); A Novel (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1840. Excerpt: ... pair of hands, my Lady, and more than I can manage to feed, somehow or other." "But your wife, I hear, is a notable, industrious, careful woman. So, while you are at work on your farm, she helps at home." "Yes, my Lady, Betsy Mayfield is industrious and careful enough for that matter. But he that beats the bush does not always catch the bird, you know, my Lady." "What do you mean?" asked her Ladyship, smiling. "I mean that an inch in a miss is as good as an ell, my Lady; that a man may work more for others than for himself, and see no way to do better, look as sharp as he will. I have been doing so all my life, and am likely to continue at it, I think; for I can't put my hand into my pocket, and find a guinea there to which I have a better right than anybody else: and that's a poor look out at my time o' life." "But how does this happen? There are others of our tenants who do not hold their farms upon such easy terms, I believe, as you do, yet they thrive and are comfortable. Why should not you do the same?" "That's the very question I often ask myself, '" answered Andrew; "but I can never answer it to my satisfaction." Here Sir Everton, having finished his letter, addressed himself to Andrew. "Now, Mayfield," said he, "what is your business? The old one, I suppose, --behind again, --no money. Well, I must give you a little longer time, that's all. Is there anything in arrear besides the last quarter?" Andrew was silent. But he shook his head in a way that confessed it was not a single quarter's rent which remained unpaid. "How is it, Mayfield," continued Sir Everton, "that you are always in these difficulties?" "That's just what her Ladyship has been inquiring," answered Andrew; "and just what I am unable to explain." Andrew was again silent; and the Barone...