"Now," said he, leaning forward, and fixing his elbows on his knees, while he counted the case at his fingers' ends, "excuse the liberty, but wishin' to know where this 'ere money's to come from, I sh'd like jest t'ask if so be Sir Austin know o' this?"
"My father knows nothing of it," replied Richard.
The farmer flung back in his chair. "Lie number Two," said his shoulders, soured by the British aversion to being plotted at, and not dealt with openly.
"And ye've the money ready, young gentleman?"
"I shall ask my father for it."
"And he'll hand't out?"
"Certainly he will!"
Richard had not the slightest intention of ever letting his father into his counsels.
"A good three hundred pounds, ye know?" the farmer suggested.
No consideration of the extent of damages, and the size of the sum, affected young Richard, who said boldly, "He will not object when I tell him I want that sum."