“Yes, my name is Leslie. You know Rood, then?”
“I was brought up on your father’s land, sir. You may have heard of Farmer Bruce?”
RANDAL.—“I remember, when I was a little boy, a Mr. Bruce who rented, I believe, the best part of our land, and who used to bring us cakes when he called to see my father. He is a relation of yours?”
FARMER BRUCE.—“He was my uncle. He is dead now, poor man.”
RANDAL.-“Dead! I am grieved to hear it. He was very kind to us children. But it is long since he left my father’s farm.”
FARMER BRUCE (apologetically).—“I am sure he was very sorry to go. But, you see, he had an unexpected legacy—”
RANDAL.—“And retired from business?”
FARMER BRUCE.—“No. But, having capital, he could afford to pay a good rent for a real good farm.”
RANDAL (bitterly).—“All capital seems to fly from the lands of Rood. And whose farm did he take?”
FARMER BRUCE.—“He took Hawleigh, under Squire Hazeldean. I rent it now. We’ve laid out a power o’ money on it. But I don’t complain. It pays well.”