"Do what, sir? Clear my glebe?"
"Remove thither—in proper person, Mr. Drogue?"
"As soon as may be, Sir John."
At that Lady Johnson gave me a quick look and Claudia said: "What! Would you bury yourself alive in that wilderness, Jack Drogue?"
I smiled. "But I must hew out for myself a career in the world some day, Sacharissa. So why not begin now?"
"Then in Heaven's name," she exclaimed impatiently, "go somewhere among men and not among the wild beasts of the forest! Why, a young man is like to perish of loneliness in such a spot; is he not, Sir John?"
Sir John's inscrutable gaze remained fixed on me.
"In such times as these," said he, "it is better that men like ourselves continue to live together.... To await events.... And master them.... And afterward, each to his vocation and his own tastes.... It is my desire that you remain at the Hall," he added, looking steadily at me.
"I must decline, Sir John."
"Why?"