"I hope not. He's not much of an open air man really—specially in winter. His gifts shine indoors. And he was wondering if you'd want the hoss and trap back, as unfortunately we've never been able to pay for 'em, or whether you'd be so exceeding brotherly and generous as to let him have them still—for the green-grocery. Of course it would be a godsend if you could; and, if all goes so well as we expect, he ought to be able to pay you back with interest in a year I shouldn't wonder."
"You're hopeful," said Jacob. "A good thing that he married a hopeful pattern of woman."
"And every right to hope," she answered. "Jeremy's no common man. If he was a shopwalker in a big business, he'd be worth thousands to it. In fact he's one of those who are likely to be worth a lot more to somebody else than himself."
"As long as you're satisfied, Jane—-"
"Well satisfied," she said.
He looked at the baby—a boy.
"Teach your little one to know his own mind; and don't let him be brought up like a feather in a gale of wind."
"If he's half the man his father is, there'll be no call to quarrel with him," said Jane. "He's going to be like his father outwardly, and his grandmother sees the promise of character already."
"You'll be close to her at Brent, my dear."
Jane was cautious.