‘No, I think our own committee will do very well, at all events for the present. The first thing, of course, is to get the financial details of our scheme put into shape. I go to Belwick again this afternoon; my solicitor must get his business through as soon as possible.’
‘You will reside for the most part at Wanley?’
‘At the Manor, yes. It is occupied just now, but I suppose will soon be free.’
‘Do you know that part of the country, Stella?’ Mr. Westlake asked of his wife.
She roused herself, drawing in her breath, and uttered a short negative.
‘As soon as I get into the house,’ Richard resumed to Mr. Westlake, ‘I hope you’ll come and examine the place. It’s unfortunate that the railway misses it by about three miles, but Rodman tells me we can easily run a private line to Agworth station. However, the first thing is to get our committee at work on the scheme.’ Richard repeated this phrase with gusto. ‘Perhaps you could bring it up at the Saturday meeting?’
‘You’ll be in town on Saturday?’
‘Yes; I have a lecture in Islington on Sunday.’
‘Saturday will do, then. Is this confidential?’
‘Not at all. We may as well get as much encouragement out of it as we can. Don’t you think so?’