"Then we must be stirring too; but first sit thee down here on the edge of the bed and try to listen as if thou wert grown."
"I am, mother,—I am above thy waist."
"Ay," said Elinor, smiling, "but the question is, art thou up to my meaning? Hearken! Dost thou know what a tenant is?"
"Ay,—'tis a man who farms thy land, giving thee half and keeping three quarters for himthelf."
His mother laughed.
"Thou hast a good understanding for one so young, and the description is apt enough for most tenants; but how sayst thou of one who would give thee three quarters and keep only one for himself?"
"Why, 'twould not become a Calvert to drive such a bargain with such a poor fool."
"Thou art not far wrong. Share and share alike is fair dealing 'twixt land and labor, and so let it be between thee and Sir Christopher Neville."
"Thir Chrithtopher Neville! The gentleman that came last night? Why, he ith no laborer. He cannot be in need to work for a living."
"Nay, Cecil, 'tis a labor of love."