'I'm not. It's a very disgraceful thing that a man's property should be destroyed and no one punished,' said George, with unwonted sternness.
'But father said he'd prosecute them all for trespassing,' observed Sarah.
'You'll be glad to hear that he has been told that no magistrate would convict; it's something about a right of way,' said George.
'George, I am sorry they did it; but I do think he has provoked them, and he is hard to his workpeople,' said Sarah.
'I know; but this isn't the way to make him better. In fact, I am afraid they've enraged him so that goodness only knows what will be the end of it,' said George gloomily.
'I suppose you'd mind dreadfully if we did lose all our money?' suggested she.
'Of course I should; and so would you, whatever nonsense you may talk to the contrary!' cried George testily. 'And it's to do what I can to smooth matters down and prevent any such catastrophe that I have hurried home. Not that I can do much good,' he wound up.
'Oh George, it would be jolly to live in a little cottage, and do as one liked, and dress as one liked, and not have to sit for hours over long, stupid meals, and have to walk half a mile from your bedroom to the dining-room!' cried Sarah.
'You'd be a nice one in a cottage! You'd want the whole of it to yourself to begin with; and as for doing what you like, you would not be able to do that if you were poor any more than, or nearly as much as, if you were rich. You'd have to keep the house clean, and do the cooking, and be a drudge. How would you like that, pray?' he inquired.
'Lovely!' said Sarah with enthusiasm.