“Ha! and lawyers,” remarked Moxton, sarcastically.
“Indeed there is,” replied Ned, with some enthusiasm, as he thought of the gold-hunting spirit that prevailed in the cities of California. “There is great need out there of men of learning—men who can resist the temptation to collect gold, and are capable of doing good to the colony in an intellectual and spiritual point of view. Clergymen, doctors, and lawyers are much wanted there. You’d find it worth your while to go, sir.”
Had Edward Sinton advised Mr Moxton to go and rent an office in the moon, he could scarcely have surprised that staid gentleman more than he did by this suggestion. The lawyer gazed at him for one moment in amazement. Then he said—
“These papers are of value, young man: be careful of them. Good-morning—” and sat down at his desk to write. Ned did not venture to reply, but instantly retired, and found himself in the street with—not, as formerly, an indistinct, but—a distinct impression that he had heard the dishevelled clerk chuckling vociferously as he passed through the office.
That afternoon Ned and old Mr Shirley alighted from the train at a small village not a hundred miles out of London, and wended their way leisurely—for it was a warm sunny day for the season—towards a large, quaint, old farm-house, about two miles distant from the station.
“What a very pleasant-looking house that is on the hill-top!” remarked Ned, as he gave his arm to his uncle.
“D’you think so? Well, I’m glad of it, because that’s the farm I wish you to take.”
“Indeed!” exclaimed Ned, in surprise. “Surely the farm connected with such a house must be a large one?”
“So it is,” replied the other.
Ned laughed. “My dear uncle,” said he, “how can I manage such a place, without means or knowledge?”