"Do you think you help your wishes by asking her to use her influence to make Dale Bannister write poems?"
The Squire laid down his napkin and looked at his wife.
"Oh!" he said, after a pause.
"Yes," said Mrs. Delane. "Are you surprised?"
"Yes, I am, rather."
He got up and walked about the room, jangling the money in his pocket.
"We know nothing about young Bannister," he said.
"Except that he's the son of a Dissenting minister and has lived with very queer people."
The Squire frowned; but presently his face cleared. "I dare say we're troubling ourselves quite unnecessarily. I haven't noticed anything."
"I dare say not, George," said Mrs. Delane.