It is needless to say that he was accorded a hearty welcome. They did
not fuss over him; the Anglemere tenants were prosperous and
self-respecting; and though they regarded their lord and master as a
kind of sovereign, and felt greatly honored by his presence under their
roof, there was nothing servile in their attentions.
Drake sat down to the midday meal with a ruddy-cheeked child on each
side of him, and chatted with the farmer and his wife, the farmer eating
his well-earned dinner with his usual appetite, the latter waiting on
them with assiduity and perfect composure. Now and again Drake made a
joke for the sake of the children, who laughed up at him with round eyes
and open mouths; he discussed the breeding and price of poultry, the
rival merits of the new churns and "separators" with the dame, and the
prospects of the coming harvest with the good man. For a wonder the
farmer did not grumble. The Anglefords were good landlords; there was no
rack-renting, no ejections, and a farm falling vacant from natural
causes was always eagerly tendered for.
After the meal, which Drake enjoyed exceedingly, he and the farmer sat
at the open window with their pipes and a glass of whisky and water, and
continued their conversation.
"I'm hearing that your lordship thinks of coming to Anglemere and living
among us," said the farmer. "And I hope it's true, with all my heart.
The land needs a master's presence--not that I've anything to complain
of. Wood, the steward, has acted like a gentleman by me, and I hear no
complaints of him among the neighbors. But all the same, it ain't like
having the earl himself over us. It makes one's heart ache to see that
great place shut up and empty most o' the year. Seems as if there ought
to be some one living there pretty nigh always, and as if there ought to
be little children running about the terrace an' the lawns. Begging your
lordship's pardon, if I'm too free."
"That's all right, Styles," said Drake. "I know what you mean."
The farmer nodded, and stopped his pipe with his fat little finger.
"I make so bold because I remember your lordship a wee chap so high." He
put his hand about eighteen inches from the floor, as usual. "And a
rare, hot-spirited youngster you was! Many's the time you've made me
lift you into the cart, and you'd allus insist upon driving, though the
reins were most too thick for your hands. Well, my lord, what we feels
is that we'd like to live long enough to see another little chap--a
future lordship--a-running about the place."