After a while, as the Squire was still turning over the
contract with occasional grunts and mutterings, she asked--
'Will you please tell me what I am to reply?'
Her voice was cold and measured.
The Squire threw up his white head.
'What hurry is there?' he said testily.
'Oh, none--if you wish it delayed. Only--' she hesitated--'Captain
Dell tells me the Government inspectors are already in the
neighbourhood. He expects them here before long.'
'And if I make a stand--if I oppose you--well--it'll be the gates
over again?' She shrugged her shoulders.
'We must try to find the money some other way. It is badly wanted. I
thought--'
'You thought I had authorized this--and you've given all your work
for nothing? You think I'm an impossible person?'
Suddenly she found him sitting beside her. Perforce she looked him
in the face.
'Don't give notice again!' he said, almost with passion.
'It's not so easy now,' she said, with a rather uncertain voice.
'Because you've done so much for me?--because you've slaved and put
your heart into it? That's true.
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