I expect, indeed, it's Hobson's
choice.'
'You mean the timber will be commandeered?'
'Probably. The Government have just come down on some of Lord
Radley's woods just beyond our borders--with scarcely a week's
warning. No "With your leave" or "By your leave"! The price fixed,
Canadians sent down to cut, and a light railway built from the woods
to the station to carry the timber, before you could say "Jack
Robinson."'
'You think the price these people offer is a fair one?' She pointed
to the draft contract.
'Excellent! The Squire won't get nearly as much from the
Government.'
'What one might do with some of it for the estate!' said Elizabeth,
looking up, her blue eyes dancing in the lamplight.
'Rebuild half the cottages?' said the other, smiling, as he rose. 'A
village club-house, a communal kitchen, a small holdings scheme--all
the things we've talked about? Oh yes, you could do all that and
more. The Squire doesn't know what he possesses.'
'Well, I'll take the papers to him,' said Elizabeth, holding out her
hands for them.
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