"Perhaps not," said John Massingbird; "but I have owed a debt to Lionel for a long while. I say, old chap, didn't you think I clapped on a good sum for your trouble when I offered you the management of Verner's Pride?"
"I did," answered Lionel.
"Ay! I was in your debt; am in it still. Careless as I am, I thought of it now and then."
"I do not understand you," said Lionel. "In what way are you in my debt?"
"Let it go for now," returned John. "I may tell you some time, perhaps. When shall you take up your abode here?"
Lionel smiled. "I will not invade you without warning. You and I will take counsel together, John, and discuss plans and expediencies."
"I suppose you'll be for setting about your improvements now?"
"Yes," answered Lionel, his tone changing to one of deep seriousness, not to say reverence. "Without loss of time."
"I told you they could wait until you came into the estate. It has not been long first, you see."
"No; but I never looked for it," said Lionel.