"But—perhaps—Cecil's."
"Ay, that is better!" said Neville, smiling a little; "that will be best, for then there will be no favor on either side, and as the lad grows older he and I can deal together as man to man."
"Oh, it is such a relief to my mind!" sighed Elinor.
"And to mine," quoth Neville.
"It is not the same thing as being my tenant?"
"Not at all—quite different. And thou wilt come with Cecil to see how the land fares from time to time?"
"Why, that were but business."
"Truly to do aught else were treason to thy son's interest, and by and by when the house is built and the title of Robin Hood's Barn suits the manor no more, thou and he will come to visit me there?"
"That could not be—"
"No, I feared that was asking too much," Neville said humbly, "but at least thou wilt let me have the boy?"