“And I might have more children!” laughed Richard. “But that has nothing to do with it. The thing is this: the land itself I could give out and out, but the land has the people. God did not give us the land for our own sakes only, but for theirs too. The men and women upon it are my brothers and sisters, and I have to see to them. Now I know that you are liked by our people, and that you have claims to be liked by them, and therefore believe you will consider them as well as yourself or the land—though at the same time I shall protect them with the terms of the deed. But suppose at your death it should go to Percy! Should I not then feel that I had betrayed my people, a very Judas of landlords? Never fellow-creature of mine will I put in the danger of a scoundrel like him!”
“He is my brother!”
“And mine. I know him; I was at Oxford with him! Not one foothold shall he ever have on land of mine! When he wants to work, let him come to me—not till then!”
“You will not say that to my mother!”
“I will say nothing to your mother.—Do you accept my offer?”
“I will think over it.”
“Do,” said Richard, and turned to go.
“Will you not settle something on Victoria?” said Arthur.
“We shall see what she turns out by the time she is of age! I don't want to waste money!”
“What do you mean by wasting money?”