'Who are "they"?'
'The Air Board,' said Elizabeth, smiling.
'The fellows that wrote me that letter? I didn't want their thanks.'
Elizabeth took no notice. She resumed—
'And Sir Henry went into the figures of that contract with Captain Dell. He thinks the Captain has done very well, and that the prices are very fair—very good, in fact.'
'All the same, I don't mean to accept their blessed contract.'
'Oh, but I thought it was settled!' cried Elizabeth in distress. She sat down on a dry stump a little way off, and the Squire actually enjoyed the sight of her discomfiture.
'Why on earth should I allow these people, not only to make a hideous mess of my woods, and murder my trees, but to take three years—three years—over the disgusting business, before they get it all done and clear up the mess? One year is the utmost I will allow.'
Elizabeth looked consternation.
'But think of the labour difficulties,' she pleaded. 'The contractor can't get the men. Of course, he wants to cut and move the trees as soon as he can, so as to get his money back.'