“That’s very foolish of you.”
“It may seem so, my lord; but you must allow us to do the best with what modicum of judgment we possess.”
“What can have induced you to come to such a fatal resolution! I am thoroughly acquainted with the value of the land all about here, and am convinced you will not get such a price from another, be he who he may.”
“You may be right, my lord, but we do not want to sell.”
“Nobody, I repeat, will make you a better—I mean an equal offer.”
“I could well believe it might not be worth more to anyone else—so long, that is, as your lordship’s property shuts it in on every side; but to your lordship—”
“That is my affair; what it is worth to you is the question.”
“It is worth more to us than you can calculate.”
“I daresay, where sentiment sends prices up! But that is not in the market. Take my advice and a good offer. You can’t go on like this, you know. You will lose your position entirely. Why, what are you thinking of!”
“I am thinking, my lord, that you have scarcely been such a neighbour as to induce us to confide our plans to you. I have said we will not sell—and as I am something of an invalid—”