The young master of Hyson Hall

by Frank R. Stockton

“All right,” said Phœnix, “nobody is asking any.”

The next day Chap made a visit to the city, and spent the whole day there. He paid his own way. It was vacation time, and no one interfered with him.

On his return he was asked a good many questions, especially by Helen, but answered none. For several days he spent a good deal of time away from home, but he did not go to Hyson Hall, nor did Phœnix see anything of him.

Mr. Berkeley was not long in making up his mind not to return to his hut in the woods; but, although his affairs demanded his attention at home, he determined to continue the study of law, for he was not too old to achieve success in this profession, and he felt he ought to devote his life to something for which he was better suited than scientific farming.

A small room in the third story was fitted up as his study. His books and papers were taken there, and strict orders were given that during certain hours in the day he was not to be disturbed on any pretext.

It was much easier to observe these orders than it would have been before the time in which our story began; for now John Morgan—Jenny’s father—was regularly installed as farmer and general manager on the Hyson Hall estate, while Joel was retained as his assistant.

Phil was much pleased with the new arrangement, and listened with great interest to all the plans which were discussed.

This pleased Mr. Berkeley, for he wanted Phil to like a country life, and to understand better than he had ever done how to manage with comfort and profit an estate like Hyson Hall.

It may be here remarked that Emile never came to Boontown to stand his trial. His father thought it prudent to send him to France on business, and his bail was forfeited.

The man with the black straw hat had some time since told his business and gone away. He had come to Hyson Hall to try to induce Mr. Berkeley to build a town. This seemed like a vast enterprise to suggest to a private gentleman, but Mr. Muller had studied the subject for a long time, and had very clear and definite ideas about it.