“SHE SANK DOWN BESIDE THE CRADLE, HIDING AWAY FROM HIM”
When he dropped it, there stood Otto, in the doorway, watching them.
He came forward into the room, pretending not to have seen.
“Well, Gerard,” he said, with forced geniality, “so here is the heir. Some day I hope this young man will sit in my seat and look after the dear old place better than I do.”
Gerard resented the palpable aim of the words.
“Who knows?” he replied, lightly. “He may never have money to keep it up. If he has brothers and sisters, the estate goes to pieces anyhow. What’s the use of your struggling and wasting your life for an idea? Why not sell a couple of farms and have done?”
“That’s what you would do,” said Otto, grimly; “sell the whole thing.”
“Yes, I should, if I really wanted the money.”