"More stirring than you think, perhaps," Jenkins said mysteriously.
"That's possible, of course. Have you been hearing something?"
"Squire's cleared out, ain't he?"
"I hear he has practically closed the Manor for an indefinite period."
"Purty hard up, I reckon."
"Why do you think so?"
"Took to sellin' his estate."
"No!" William said, with a little gasp.
"It's solemn truth. I got a letter from him just now sayin' he'd sold Hillside Farm."
"Sold it?"