'Charteris takes it hard that you intend to keep running, Dane,' he said.
'Some other people find it hard that he don't.'
'Hard things affect people differently: they don't agree with him.
And he announces that he will try how they agree with you.'
'I don't see what he can do to me at present.'
'Self-confidence is not one of your undeveloped graces. But I wish you had bought that gore at the top of the Hollow, as I bade you.'
'Powder did not care about selling it, at one time; and latterly I have had my hands too full. Why do you wish that just now, Arthur?'
'Because Powder has sold it now. And if I remember, your lease of the water power has not long to run.' Wych Hazel was listening, intently, with a sparkle in her eyes at last.
'I have no lease of water power. What I own I own. But anybody above me on the stream could make me trouble. To whom has Powder sold?'
'Just what I cannot find out,' said the doctor, 'though I went to himself. 'It is no matter,' he said, 'so long as the property was not in the market.' But of course it is Charteris. Josephine's marriage makes that pretty sure.'
Rollo laid down his knife and fork for a moment and sat with his head leaning upon his hand.